Strong 7.0-magnitude quake hits off Japan coast: USGS

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the southwestern coast of Japan on Saturday morning (Nov 14), the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The USGS put the epicentre of the shallow quake about 160 kilometres (100 miles) from the town of Makurazaki in southwest Japan.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat from the quake, which struck at 5.51am (2051 GMT Friday).

Japan's islands are situated at the juncture of several tectonic plates and experience a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

- AFP