An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Japan's east coastal areas on Thursday, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said.

The epicenter of the quake, which occurred at around 8:17 a.m.(2317 GMT), was about 10 km under the sea at Sariku Oki off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, the agency said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property. And no Tsunami warning was issued.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2008)