The national weather agency reported that a 6.1-magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Aomori on Tuesday, but no tsunami warning was issued.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles) around 6:18 pm (0918 GMT).
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the major Japanese media.
The US Geological Survey estimated the earthquake’s magnitude to be 6.2.
Japan, which is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region of extremely active seismic activity that extends from Southeast Asia and throughout the Pacific basin, experiences earthquakes frequently.
The nation has stringent building codes designed to ensure that structures can withstand strong earthquakes, and emergency drills are often done to have everyone ready for a major jolt.
