6.2 quake hits central Japan, flattens houses

Japan Meteorological Agency officer Yohei Hsegawa speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on November 23, 2014. A strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Japan on November 22, US Geological Survey said with media reporting 15 people were briefly trapped under collapsed houses. - AFP

The quake struck at 10:08 pm local time (1308 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles) at the epicentre, in the north of Nagano Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, according to USGS.

The quake toppled at least five houses in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, local police said, injuring two residents. No further details were immediately confirmed.