Magnitude 6.6 quake jolts western Japan, no tsunami warning

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.6 shook western Japan on Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, adding that a tsunami warning was not issued.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage and no irregularities at nuclear plants according to Reuters news agency, but media said roughly 40,000 households were without power.

The epicentre of the earthquake was in Tottori prefecture at a depth of 10 km, the agency said.

The quake reportedly hit at 2:07pm and was followed by a weaker aftershock about 30 minutes later.

Japan is one of the world's most seismically active area, accounting for about 20% of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.