A strong earthquake struck Saturday off northern Japan, shaking buildings even in Tokyo and triggering a tsunami advisory for a part of the northern coast. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The US Geological Survey put the strength at magnitude 7.0 and depth at depth of 54 kilometres (33.5 miles). The shaking started just before 6:10 pm.
The quake was centred off the coast of Miyagi prefecture, in the country's rugged northeast, which was heavily damaged during the huge earthquake and tsunami of 2011.
The advisory for a tsunami up to 1 metre (yard) was issued for Miyagi prefecture. The tsunami might have reached parts of the Miyagi coast already, Japan's NHK public television said.
Officials there said there were no immediate reports of damage.