6.9 magnitude tremor hits northern Japan

A 6.9 magnitude strong tremor hits northern Japan's Hokkaido Island on late Saturday, but except some minor incidents, there is no report of damages to several nuclear facilities in the region.

According to US Geological Survey data, the earthquake, which was preceded by an early warning broadcast on television and radio, hit near the town of Obihiro at a depth of 103 kilometres at 11:17 pm.

Ten people suffered minor injuries due to falling objects, broken glass and other incidents, according to national broadcaster NHK, but authorities said no serious damage was reported and the quake did not generate a tsunami.

The most violent tremors were felt in the eastern part of Hokkaido, the second largest island of the country but the northern part of the island was also shaken along with parts of the main island of Honshu, where Tokyo is located.

Utility firms said no abnormalities were reported at the Tomari nuclear plant in Hokkaido's west, nor ihe nuclear facilities in Aomori, the northernmost prefecture on Honshu