A magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck northern Japan Wednesday and tsunami warning was issued, the Meteorological Agency said.
Tsunami waves of up to 50 centimetres were expected to reach the coasts of Iwate and Aomori prefectures at 6:40 pm (0940 GMT), the agency said.
The quake occurred at 6:09 pm with an epicentre off Aomori prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometres, the agency said.
No injuries or damage were reported, DPA reported.
A magnitude-9 quake and tsunami hit north-eastern Japan on March 11, 2011 leaving more than 15,800 dead and nearly 3,300 missing.