An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale on Wednesday hit Chiba Prefecture and its vicinity in east Japan, said the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The focus of the quake, which occurred at 9:51 p.m. local time (1251 GMT), was located some 20 km under the sea off Chiba, north of Tokyo, said the agency.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to properties, and tsunami warning was issued.