Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits off northeast Japan, no damage reported

A shake map released by the US Geological Survey (USGS) 12 May 2015 showing the location where a 6.8 earthquake occured near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. - EPA

TOKYO (Reuters) - An earthquake struck the northeast of Japan early on Wednesday, the area devastated four years ago, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injury and no tsunami alert.

The quake off the Tohoku region had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and 6.6 according to public broadcaster NHK. USGS originally reported the earthquake as 6.9 magnitude.