Japan’s Meteorological Agency says a magnitude-6.0 earthquake has struck eastern and north-eastern Japan.

Data recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey showed the quake struck at 3.21pm local time, with the epicentre 164km east-northeast of Tokyo at a depth of 10km.

No tsunami warning was issued, AFP reported. A small change in the tidal level was forecast, but was not expected to cause any damage.

Nuclear plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant remained stable.

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake in March 2011 triggered a monster tsunami that killed more than 19,000 people and crippled the cooling systems at the Fukushima plant, causing meltdowns in some of its reactors.

A number of powerful aftershocks have shaken the region since the destructive March quake.