TOKYO - A strong earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit north of Tokyo early Thursday following an earlier series of tremors, Japan`s meteorological agency said.
The earthquake hit at 1:45 am (1645 GMT) north of Tokyo, swaying buildings in the heart of the capital.
The impact was strongest in Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures north of Tokyo where the earthquake measured lower-five on the seven-point Japanese scale -- enough to crack holes in weak buildings.
Public broadcaster NHK showed footage of a local office where computer monitors were shaking and elevators stopped. But it said that there were no immediate reports of damage.
No tsunami warning was issued.
The earthquake followed a series of tremors off the Pacific coast, including one measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale.
Japan experiences 20 percent of the world`s major earthquakes and has developed an infrastructure meant to withstand violent tremors.
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked central Japan in July last year, killing 11 people and shutting down the world`s largest nuclear power plant.
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05/07/2008 17:07 GMT