| KASHIWAZAKI: A strong earthquake flattened houses in northwestern Japan on Monday, killing at least six people, forcing the evacuation of thousands and sparking a small fire at the world’s biggest nuclear power plant. Buildings swayed as far away as Tokyo, and nuclear power reactors in Niigata prefecture automatically shut down for checks but there were no radiation leaks reported. Two women in their 80s died when their houses collapsed during the 6.8 magnitude tremor and a police spokesman confirmed six deaths, including that of an 83-year-old man. Another elderly woman and a couple were also reported among the dead. More than 700 people were injured. “First there was a sharp vertical jolt and then it shook sideways for a long time and I couldn’t stand up,” said Harumi Mikami, a teacher. |