TOKYO - A MODERATE 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Japanese island of Honshu on Monday, the US Geological Survey said.

No tsunami warning was immediately issued and there were no reports of damage.

The quake struck at 6.29 am (4.25am Singapore time), with the epicentre off the island's east coast 296 kilometres from Morioka, the agency said.

It was recorded at a depth of 31km.

Around 20 per cent of the world's most powerful earthquakes strike Japan. -- AFP