A magnitude-5.3 earthquake hit the northern city of Hakodate, Hokkaido, on Thursday, registering a lower 6 on the Japanese seismic scale of 7, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
No tsunami warnings have been issued.
The quake struck off Uchiura Bay in southwestern Hokkaido at a depth of 10 kilometers, the Meteorological Agency said.
NHK TV's live camera in Hakodate showed the screen swaying sideways at around 2:22 p.m. There have been no reports of casualties so far.
Tohoku Electric Power Co. and Hokkaido Electric Power Co. reported no abnormalities at the Higashidori nuclear power plant in Aomori Prefecture, and the Nos. 1 to 3 reactor units of the Tomari nuclear power plant in Hokkaido, respectively.
Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. also said nothing unusual was seen at its fuel reprocessing facility.
Hokkaido Railway Co. said shinkansen trains and regular railway services are operating as normal.
Lower 6 is a level at which people are not be able to remain on their feet. Heavy furniture may move or fall down during lower 6 earthquakes.