Strong Offshore Earthquake Shakes Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency said a strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 has shaken the Japanese capital of Tokyo and surrounding areas.

There have been no immediate reports of damages or casualties from the temblor, which rattled furniture and walls in Tokyo homes at 7:56 p.m. (1056 GMT) Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The United States Geological Survey gave a preliminary magnitude reading of 7.1 for the quake, which was centred in the Izu Islands some 200 miles southwest of Tokyo.

The Japanese agency said there was no danger of tsunami from the quake. It was 1,115 feet below the ocean bed in the waters off the eastern coast of Japan, according to the agency.

The agency said the quake shook Tokyo, as well as the prefectures (states) of Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba and others around the capital.

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.