An earthquake measuring magnitude 6.4 hit western Japan on Wednesday night. Officials say there is no tsunami threat.
The quake struck at around 11:14 p.m. on Wednesday. The Meteorological Agency says the epicenter was at Bungo Suido channel, and the focus was 50 kilometers deep.
Agency officials say the tremor measured an intensity of lower 6 on the Japanese seismic scale of 0 to 7 in parts of Ehime and Kochi prefectures, and lower 5 in parts of Oita Prefecture.
Tremors of 1 through 4 were detected in wide areas in the Shikoku, Kyushu and Chugoku regions.
The Meteorological Agency will hold a news conference at 1:10 a.m. Thursday.
An official of Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, said shaking was felt for around 20 seconds, and papers on shelves fell.