Quake hits Japan

A strong earthquake has hit islands to the south of Japan's mainland, it has emerged.

The 6.7 earthquake hit islands off the Okinawa prefecture at 01:45 GMT, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The earthquake was followed by a 6.2 magnitude aftershock but there have no reports of injuries in either case.

A tsunami warning has now been lifted by the agency following initial fears that the earthquake could trigger disastrous repercussions for the region.

The epicentre of the eruption was 25 miles below the seabed close to the diving resort of Miyakojima, some 1,200 miles south-west of Tokyo.

Earthquakes are commonplace in Japan; in March a 6.9 force quake hit the Noto peninsula, 300 miles from Tokyo, killing one person and injuring over 200.