TOKYO: A 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit northern Japan Tuesday, but there was no tsunami warning and no immediate reports of damage, US and Japanese seismologists said.

The underwater quake occurred at 2:50 pm (0550 GMT) off Iwate prefecture in the Pacific, 515 kilometres (320 miles) north of Tokyo, according to the US Geological Survey.

Its depth was estimated at 21 kilometres, the USGS said.

No tsunami warning was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Around 20 percent of the world`s most powerful earthquakes strike Japan, which has developed one of the most sophisticated tsunami warning systems.

BDST: 1254 HRS, August 10, 2010