Another earthquake hits Japan measuring 5.3 magnitude

Another earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit Japan on Monday. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at Kyushu in Japan. 

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck southern Japan early on Saturday too, killing at least 29 people, injuring hundreds more and trapping people in collapsed buildings, just over a day after a quake killed nine people in the same region.

Rescuers dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings and mud and debris on Saturday to try and reach those trapped, but continued aftershocks hindered rescue efforts and fuelled fears of more powerful quakes. "We have already seen of several of the mid to upper 5 plus magnitude range, and over the next several days and weeks, we would not be surprised to see more earthquakes of this size," said John Bellini, a geophysicist with the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Factories producing auto parts and tech components for companies including Sony Corp and Honda Motor Co halted production as they assessed the damage. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said rescue efforts were critical with wet weather forecast overnight, which could further damage weakened buildings and cause landslides. "Nothing is more important than human life and it's a race against time," Abe said at a government meeting after the disaster. "I want rescue activities to continue with the utmost effort."

With agency inputs