A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of northeastern Japan shaking a wide area including the region of Fukushima.

Nuclear power plants in the area have not suffered damage in the tremor, including the Fukushima Daiichi plant that suffered a meltdown following a quake in 2011, and authorities have said there is no danger of a tsunami.

No immediate casualties have been reported following the sudden jolt at 7.23pm local time, or 10:23am GMT, that happened east of Namie, in eastern Fukushima.

A strong earthquake has struck about 50 kilometres from the northeast coast of Japan, shaking an area that includes the region of Fukushima. (Pictured) Stock image of Fukushima nuclear power plant, that suffered a meltdown in 2011, after an earthquake and tsunami

The Japan Meteorological Agency says Sunday's quake's epicentre was about 31 miles beneath the seabed, and that there were no concerns about tsunami damage.

Shaking was felt across Fukushima and the Miyagi regions as well as in central Tokyo.

The weather agency has issued an emergency warning following the tremor as Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended in the area.

In 2011, Fukushima was hit by a powerful quake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

More than 18,000 were killed after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami on March 11 which led to meltdown at the plant.

Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.