An earthquake of 6.0 magnitude on the Richter Scale hit the west coast of Japan near Honshu on Tuesday, according to National Centre For Seismology. The quake hit the coast at 2:29 pm. According to AFP, the tremors caused strong shaking though no warning for tsunami has been issued.
The Tuesday earthquake came just a week after the east Asian nation was rocked by a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake.
The death count from the earthquake that jolted Japan on the New Year's day has reached 161 from 128, said the authorities on Monday as snow complicated rescue efforts.
The number of people reported missing went down from 195 to 103, said the uthorities in the central Ishikawa region which witnessed damage due to the quake, as per AFP.
The shock waves toppled buildings, sparked a amjor fire and triggered tsunami waves measuring over a metre.
The tremors also cut off the roads and resulted in an estimated 1,000 landsildes which made it difficult for the thousand of rescuers who have been drafted from all over the country.
ALSO READ: Japan Earthquake Death Toll Surges To 168, More Than 300 People Still Missing
Snowfall has also blanketed the region adding to the difficulties of the rescuers.
Continous rain has increased the risk of fresh landslides while heavy snow poses the risk of collapse of more buildings under its weight.
At least 2,000 people in many communities on the remote peninsula have been cut off by damaged roads, with some of an estimated 1,000 landslides also blocking aid vehicles.
Consequently, relief materials have been slow to reach the areas suffering with shortage of water and power outages.
Around 20,700 households in the wider Ishikawa region remained without electricity on Sunday. More than 66,100 households were without water, the AFP report added.
In an interview with NHK on Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sai that the "first priority" has been to rescue people under the rubble, and to reach isolated communities.