Tsunami warning as quake strikes off Japanese coast

AN earthquake struck off Japan's eastern coast today, shaking buildings and prompting a tsunami warning.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage after the 6.6 magnitude quake, Japan's Meteorological Agency said.

The US Geological Survey put the strength of the initial quake at 7.0 and said it was followed by a 5.3 aftershock.

A tsunami warning was issued and later lifted for parts of Japan's eastern coast.

There were no initial reports of damage from the quake which hit off the east coast of Honshu.

The biggest tsunami measured was 20 cm along the coasts of Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, the agency said.

The US Geological Survey said the tremor struck s5 miles beneath the north Pacific Ocean, 77 miles east north-east of Iwaki, Japan.

Nuclear power facilities in the area were unharmed.

The quake shook buildings several hundred miles away in central Tokyo, but initial reports from the scene showed no significant damage and traffic appeared to be moving normally.

The quake was epicentred in the same area as a June 14 tremor which killed at least ten and left as many again missing.