A POWERFUL earthquake which struck off the coast of Japan on Saturday night shook buildings in Tokyo and was felt across most of the country.
The magnitude 8.5 quake struck at 8.30pm (9.30pm AEST) 874km from Tokyo in the northern Pacific.
Residential buildings swayed for around a minute as the quake built in intensity at around 8.30pm (9.30pm AEST).
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, which said the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.5, was at a depth of 696 kilometres.
The Japan Meteorological Bureau said there was no threat of a tsunami.
The quake follows a day after a volcano exploded into life in Japan's southern islands, forcing the evacuation of villagers..