A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck just off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan. No tsunami warning was issued.
The tremors hit the country at 12:30 p.m. (0330 GMT) Thursday, near the Urakawa town on the southern tip of Hokkaido, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
It said the quake’s center was located at a depth of 50 kilometers (30 miles) below the sea surface.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.