The Meteorological Agency launched an earthquake early warning system Oct. 1 designed to give the public a few precious seconds to take precautionary steps ahead of a major jolt. The system is also programmed to forecast a quake's intensity. NHK and private broadcasters will provide the prequake information via TV and radio.

But the system's limits were revealed by an early morning quake Oct. 1 in Kanagawa Prefecture and surrounding areas.

No warning was triggered although the quake measured upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale to 7 in the Hakone hot-spring resort area.

Though not officially launched until 9 a.m., the warning system was in operation before the 2:21 a.m. temblor and logged an anticipated intensity of "larger than around 4." Had the prediction reached at least lower 5, the agency would have issued a warning.