TOKYO, Oct. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- An earthquake registering an estimated magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale jolted Niigata Prefecture and surrounding regions.

    There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the 10:40 a.m. (0140 GMT) quake, which measured 6 lower on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7, according to the NHK. Enditem