Earthquake shakes Japanese cities

A strong earthquake shook western Japan today.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The quake, which struck shortly after 7pm (11am Irish Time), had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 and was centred six miles beneath the ocean floor and 70 miles off the coast of the Kii peninsula.

The quake was felt most strongly in the cities of Nara and Wakayama on the Kii peninsula, which lies about 280 miles west of Tokyo. It also made tall buildings in central Tokyo sway.

The Meteorological Agency warned that tsunami – huge waves triggered by seismic activity – could hit the coast of Wakayama and warned residents to stay inland.

Japan, which rests atop several tectonic plates, is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries.

A magnitude 6 quake can inflict widespread damage in a populated area.