TOKYO: A moderate 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook the west coast of Japan's Honshu island on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The tremor, which occurred at 4:19 am (2019 GMT), was located 81 kilometres south of the city of Akita on the island and 372 kilometres north of Tokyo, the USGS said.

The quake struck 147 kilometres underground, it said.

Japan, which lies at the crossing of four tectonic plates, endures about 20 percent of the world's powerful earthquakes, frequently jolting Tokyo and other major cities. - AFP/de