An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 has struck in western Japan.
The tremor shook the Chugoku region this morning before a series of sizeable aftershocks were felt, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The epicentre of the first earthquake was in eastern Shimane prefecture, the agency added.
There was not considered to be any danger of a tsunami.
The earthquake rocked Shimane Nuclear Power Station, with surveillance camera footage showing the site shaking when the quake hit at around 10.18am local time.
Chugoku Electric Power, which runs the power station, said operations were continuing as usual at the unit.
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority added that there were no irregularities following the quake.
West Japan Railway meanwhile said it had suspended Shinkansen bullet-train operations between Shin-Osaka and Hakata following the quake.
The 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck western Japan
|KYODO/REUTERS
The earthquake had a seismic intensity of upper-five on Japan's one to seven scale, strong enough to make movement difficult without support.
Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas.
The East Asian country accounts for about one-fifth of the world's earthquakes of magnitude six or greater.
Last month, a major magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, leaving at least a dozen people hurt.
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Tuesday's earthquake had a seismic intensity of upper-five on Japan's one to seven scale
|JAPAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY
It led to tsunami advisory warnings being issued, including across Pacific stretches of Hokkaido, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
The epicentre of the quake was 80km (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori prefecture, at a depth of 50km (30 miles).
Residents in affected areas were urged to immediately evacuate to higher ground.
The following day, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned the possibility of a so-called mega quake – a tremor in excess of magnitude 8 – was higher than usual.
Japan's location in the Pacific Ring of Fire - a region which records approximately 90 per cent of the world's earthquakes - means the nation is prepared for major tremors such as the one today.
It is estimated the country records up to 100,000 total seismic events per year but only feels up to 2,000 of them.
Usually, major earthquakes above a magnitude seven are recorded in Japan just once a year.