A second earthquake of magnitude 6.4 has struck southern Japan in the same area affected by another quake earlier.

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 rattled Japan’s southern islands early today, injuring two and initially prompting fears of a tsunami.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit off Japan’s southern coast, shaking Okinawa and nearby islands, where a tsunami warning was issued, Japan’s Meteorological Agency said.