An earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan early Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. No tsunami warning was issued and no damage was reported.
The 5.3-magnitude quake hit at 8:37 a.m. off Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Shaking was reported in several Hokkaido towns.
Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries and sits atop four tectonic plates.