The focus of the quake, which occurred at 5:27 pm (0827 GMT), was located about 100 kilometers (63 miles) southeast of Kii Peninsula in central Japan and some 390 kilometers (242 miles) below the seabed in the Pacific, the agency said.

No tidal wave warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

High rises in the Tokyo metropolitan area -- 400 kilometers east of the peninsula -- swayed when the earthquake hit.

TERRA.WIRE