An earthquake measuring 5.9 on Monday morning struck off Hokkaido Island in northern Japan, the US Geological Survey said.
The epicenter of the quake was eight kilometers deep and 107 kilometers northeast of Sheppetsu, the agency said.
There was little chance that the quake might have caused loss of life or property.
The earthquake followed a severe 6.6-magnitude earthquake that hit Hokkaido in September, causing landslides, house demolitions and the deaths of more than 40 people.
Japan is located above the confluence of four tectonic plates and the archipelago annually accounts for about 20 percent of the world's most powerful earthquakes, but the country adopts strict building laws that apply it firmly, which means even violent tremors cause minor damage.
