TOKYO (REUTERS) - A magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit Aomori and Iwate prefectures in northern Japan early on Wednesday (Oct 6) morning but did not cause a tsunami, Japan's Meteorological Agency said.

The quake struck at around 2.46am local time (1.46am Singapore time).

No damage was reported at a nuclear fuel preprocessing plant in the area, public broadcaster NHK said.

Two people were injured and taken to hospital, while train operators in the area suspended some train services for safety checks, the broadcaster said.

The quake registered 5-plus in the Japanese scale of earthquake intensity, a level that could cause damage to some buildings.