A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 jolted eastern and northeastern Japan on Sunday, January 1.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, but Kyodo news reported that some high-speed train services in northern Japan were briefly suspended.

The earthquake swayed buildings in Tokyo and surrounding areas.

The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake was recorded at a depth of nearly 249 kilometers (217 miles) off Japan's southeastern Izu islands at 0527 GMT.

The epicenter was some 560 kilometers (348 miles) from Tokyo.

Fukushima plant unaffected

A spokesman for Tokyo Electric Power said the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, damaged in an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, was not displaying any abnormalities.

It has been leaking radiation into the environment since the March tsunami in what is the world's worst nuclear crisis since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

More than 19,000 people were killed by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

Emperor's New Year message

Sunday's earthquake came as Japanese Emperor Akihito led New Year celebrations by urging people to help rebuild the nation after last year's disaster.

"Our country is now going through difficult times because of the earthquake and other factors," the emperor said in his New Year message. "But I hope that the people's hearts will always be with the afflicted, and that everyone will persevere and work together to build a brighter tomorrow."

Japan accounts for about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.

Author: Timothy Jones (Reuters, AFP, dpa)
Editor: Toma Tasovac