The quake hit at 8:22 p.m. (1122 GMT) in Pacific waters off northern Miyagi prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
It follows a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit near the region in April, prompting a tsunami alert at the time.
The agency has cautioned that a major quake could occur in the region, even after it lifted a special warning issued after the April tremor.
Cars drive over a bridge protected by a tsunami sea wall in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on April 27, 2026. Photo by AFP
Public broadcaster NHK said on Friday that no abnormalities were detected at nuclear power plants in Miyagi and Fukushima, located about 125 kilometers from the epicenter.
