Strong quake jolts Japan

TOKYO - A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 jolted western and southern Japan on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The focus of the tremor, which occurred at 2001 GMT (8:01am NZT), was 140 km below the surface of the earth in Oita prefecture, about 800 km southwest of Tokyo.

The earthquake measured "lower 5" on the seven-point Japanese intensity scale, which measures ground motion. A quake with that reading can damage roads and less earthquake-resistant buildings.

- REUTERS