An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale struck about 160 km off the south-western coast of Japan early on Saturday, according to US Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a depth of about 10 km, 190 km from the south-western city of Kagoshima. The Associated Press reported that a 30 cm tsunami was recorded at 6.45 am on Nakanoshima, a small island to the south of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted, said the BBC. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Japan was hit by a massive underwater earthquake, measuring 9 on the Richter scale, in 2011, killing over 18,000. The quake triggered a tsunami and sent three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant into a meltdown. Japan's islands are located at the juncture of many tectonic plates and experience a number of quakes every year.