Tokyo shaken as earthquake hits near Japan's south coast

TOKYO - A strong earthquake has shaken the Tokyo area and eastern Japan, though no injuries or damage was immediately reported.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake early Wednesday registered a magnitude of 6.9 but was centred offshore near Torishima, part of the Izu Islands about 600 kilometres south of Tokyo.

Despite the remoteness of the epicenter, tremors were felt from the north of the main island of Honshu to the west. In Tokyo, buildings swayed for several moments.

The national broadcaster NHK said some train lines stopped briefly for safety checks as a precaution. No tsunami alert was issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 6.5 magnitude and said it was 404 kilometres deep.