Quake shakes Japan

A strong offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.5 shook parts of north-eastern Japan and the Tokyo region today, but there were no reports of injuries or damage.

The quake was centred very deep at an estimated 230 miles off the coast and was strong enough to sway buildings in Tokyo, but not to shake loose objects on shelves.

There was no fear of tsunami – tidal waves caused by seismic activity - officials said.