Strong quake strikes off Japan's eastern coast

Tokyo, Aug 7: A strong, shallow earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Japan today, officials said. There was no immediate tsunami warning and no reports of injuries or damage.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 5.6 and was 12.1 kilometers deep. It was centered 243 kilometers east of Ofunato city, USGS said.

The city was badly damaged by a magnitude 9.0 quake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, killing more than 18,000 people. Shallow quakes tend to cause more damage.

Japan sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

PTI