TOKYO, Dec 12 (KUNA) -- A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 on the Richter scale hit Japan's northern Pacific coast on Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage from the 11:44 p.m. (0244 GMT) quake. The weather agency issued a tsunami advisory for waves of up to 1 meter for coastal areas of northern and northeastern regions.
According to the agency, 20-cm tsunami waves were observed along the coast of Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture.
According to Tohoku Electric Power Co., there were no major problems at its nuclear plants in Aomori and Miyagi.
The tremor originated at a depth of about 20 km east off Aomori Prefecture, about 600 km north of Tokyo. The quake measured 4 on the Japanese seismic scale of 7 in central Tokyo and its vicinity.
The agency defines an intensity of 4 as capable of causing dishes and objects in shelves rattle. Friday's quake came four days after the magnitude 7.5 temblor that shook northern and eastern regions of the country. (end) mk.mt