Saga of boat swept from Japan

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A strong earthquake rocked northern Japan on Thursday afternoon, causing a temporary suspension of air and railway service. The powerful temblor, rated at a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 by the United States Geological Survey, occurred at 12:25 p.m., local time, Thursday (9:25 p.m. PST Wednesday). The epicenter was reported 51 kilometers (32 miles) southeast of Shizunai, Japan. At least two people were injured in Sapporo Shiroishi-ku, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.The earthquake led to the temporary closures ofthe New Chitose Airport and the main airport in Hokkaido to allow officials to inspect the runways, NHK reported. No abnormalities were reported at nuclear power stations in the region.Rail safety checks were also ordered in Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures, NHK said. The strong effects of the earthquake were felt in those prefectures, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency. There is a threat of avalanches and falling rocks in the region, the JMA said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. No tsunami threat was expected across the Pacific Ocean and the western coasts of the U.S. and Canada, according to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center. -
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