Strong quake hits Japan, no concern over tsunamis

A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck close to islands in southern Japan but there were no reports of casualties.

A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck close to islands in southern Japan, but there were no concerns over tsunamis and no immediate reports of damage or casualties, officials said.

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The tremor struck at 6:18 am (0248 IST) with its epicenter 800 kilometers south of Tokyo, close to the Izu islands, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

"There is no concern of huge tsunami waves that could cause damages, even though some sea-level changes may be observed due to this quake," an official said.

Japan lies at the junction of four tectonic plates and endures about 20 percent of the world's most powerful earthquakes, which frequently jolt Tokyo and other major cities.