5.3 magnitude earthquake hits north Japan, no tsunami alert issued

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 hit northern Japan on Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The epicenter of the 10:26 p.m. (1326 GMT) earthquake was in Akita Prefecture.

SEE MORE GLOBAL NEWS EARTHQUAKE COVERAGE: 

“This earthquake poses no tsunami risk,” the agency said on its website.

There were no immediate reports of damage, said public broadcaster NHK.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas. Japan accounts for about 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.