Shoppers have returned to a popular morning market at a quay in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after an advisory for a potential mega quake in the area ended.
The advisory was issued following a magnitude 7.5 earthquake on December 8, and had been in place in the northeastern and eastern areas of the country until it ended on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the weekly market at Tatehana Quay in Hachinohe City opened with about 260 shops. They sell local food, including soup with rice crackers, apples produced in the prefecture and other items.
An association organizing the market said a week ago when the advisory was in place, the numbers of shops and customers at the Sunday market were less than half the usual amount. But it said the numbers have returned to almost normal this week.
The association conducts evacuation drills on a regular basis to prepare for tsunami. It says it will use a loudspeaker to urge people to evacuate the market when an earthquake occurs.
A visitor from Tokyo in her 40s said she had been concerned about whether she could travel to Hachinohe because of the impact of the quake. She said she enjoyed shopping there.
The head of the association, Keicho Haruki, said shops that suffered damage from the quake are now taking part in the Sunday market. He said he hoped they will rebuild their businesses.

Quiz 1:
When did the advisory for a potential mega quake end?
A. December 8th
B. Tuesday
C. A week ago
D. Sunday

Quiz 2:
What local product is specifically mentioned as being sold at the market?
A. Seafood
B. Rice crackers
C. Apples
D. Pottery

Quiz 3:
What does the market association regularly conduct to prepare for a tsunami?
A. Evacuation drills
B. Earthquake simulations
C. Sales promotions
D. Product demonstrations

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B
Quiz 2: C
Quiz 3: A