A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Hokkaido in northern Japan on Saturday night, the US Geological Survey and the Japan Meteorological Agency said. No Japan tsunami warning was issued after the offshore quake, which shook the coastal cities of Kushiro and Nemuro.
Major Japanese media outlets carried no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The quake hit at 10:27 p.m. (1327 GMT) at a depth of around 43 kilometers (27 miles), the USGS said.
An expert speaking on public broadcaster NHK warned residents to be vigilant against quakes for about a week.
Earthquakes are expected in Japan, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of drastic seismic activity that prolongs through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
The country has stringent construction regulations to ensure buildings can withstand strong earthquakes and routinely holds emergency drills to prepare for a significant jolt.
