41.   The official said indications from the national meteorological agency showed there was a strong chance El Nino would not occur this year.

42.   The typhoon was expected to move north over western Honshu on Wednesday evening before veering towards the northeast part on Honshu on Thursday morning, meteorological agency officials said.

43.   The quake registered five in Morioka, Aomori and Mutsu, the meteorological agency said.

44.   The typhoon was expected to approach Choshi in the late afternoon although it was not clear whether it would actually hit land, the meteorological agency said.

45.   Two moderate earthquakes rocked large areas of central Japan on Thursday, but there were no immmediate reports of casualties or damage, the meteorological agency said.

46.   Two small earthquakes rocked western and southern Japan early Tuesday although there were no reports of casualties or damage, the meteorological agency said.

47.   Two moderate earthquakes shook central Japan Friday, but no damage or casualties were reported, the meteorological agency said.

48.   Two small earthquakes shook eastern Japan early Thursday, but there were no injuries or damage, the meteorological agency and local police said.

49.   Minor tremors jolted eastern Japan on Friday, but there were no reports of casualties or major property damage, the meteorological agency and police said.

50.   More tsunamis were expected to strike the Pacific coast of Japan later Thursday, the Japanese meteorological agency said in Tokyo.