Tokyo - Japan's meteorological agency says a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit off Japan's southern coast.

The Meteorological Agency said there was no danger of a tsunami from the quake on Thursday. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The quake hit off the coast of Amami Oshima island in southern Japan at a depth of 60 kilometres.

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries. - Sapa-AP