An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook western Japan

An earthquake measuring 6.3 Richter has jolted southwestern Japan, the US Geological Survey said.

There were no tsunami warnings or reports of serious damage, AFP reported.

The epicentre of the quake was in the strait that separates the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, about 18 km west of Uwajima. The tremor was about 25 km deep. /BGNES