A strong earthquake has rocked Tokyo's Toshima Island. It registered five minus on Japan's seismic intensity scale of zero to seven.
The quake occurred at around 6:09 p.m. on Friday, local time.
Tropical Storm Dolphin is bringing strong winds to the Kanto region around Tokyo, and may bring downpours to the eastern part of the country through Saturday. Officials are urging people to stay alert for possible mudslides and flooding in low-lying areas, as well as wind gusts and high waves.
The Meteorological Agency says the storm was at sea 280 kilometers south-southeast of Choshi in Chiba Prefecture, neighboring Tokyo, as of 11 a.m. Thursday, Japan time. It says the storm was almost stationary.
The race to lead Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the country will likely be a three-person contest. The winner will succeed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who announced last week he will step down over health issues.
Among the frontrunners, the government's top spokesperson is riding a wave of support that could prove impossible to beat.
Two powerful weather systems are bearing down on western Japan from different directions. Weather officials are warning people to prepare for a strong typhoon heading toward the southwestern island of Kyushu. At the same time, a severe tropical storm is expected to hit western Japan in the coming days.
Typhoon Maysak has been gathering force, and will likely approach northern Kyushu this evening. The island is already being buffeted by strong winds.
A global survey exploring Japanese ancestry has shown that younger generations tend to have a strong awareness of their ethnic identity.
The Nippon Foundation conducted the survey last year, receiving responses from about 3,800 Japanese emigrants and their descendants, also known as "Nikkei," in the US, Brazil and other countries.
Japan's Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has stressed to US President Donald Trump that his successor will continue to bolster the Japan-US alliance. Abe made the comment in a phone call on Monday, Japan time, to explain his decision to resign.
Abe and Trump talked for about 30 minutes. The prime minister announced on Friday that he is leaving office for health reasons.