A strong earthquake rocked northern Japan on Friday, the meteorological agency said. No tsunami warning was issued.

The quake with preliminary magnitude 6.4 struck at 10:17 p.m. and was centered off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, according to the agency.

The epicenter was about 40 kilometers below the seabed.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries because it sits atop four tectonic plates. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook northeastern Japan in August, injuring at least 59 people, triggering landslides, damaging buildings and causing widespread power outages.