An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit western Japan on Tuesday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.  

The 8:29 AM (2329 GMT) quake measured 4 on the Japanese intensity scale of 7 in Shizuoka, Mie, Hyogo and Wakayama prefectures.

There is no immediate report of major damage.

The agency said the quake may cause some movement in the sea surface but there is no fear of damage.

The focus of the quake was some 10 kilometers under the sea surface in the Pacific off the Tokai area, the agency said.

The quake came after two stronger ones, measuring 6.9 and 7.4 on the Richter scale respectively, Sunday evening around the same region, which left more than 40 people injured.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2004)