Tokyo, Jul 10 (IANS): A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck off the eastern Japan coast Sunday, prompting the authorities to issue a tsunami warning.

The quake occurred at 9.57 a.m. (0057 GMT), Xinhua reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to property.

The epicentre was some 200 km from the coast of Miyagi prefecture and occurred at a depth of 10 km under the seabed, said Japan's meteorological agency.

The temblor was felt in Tokyo and many eastern cities. The bullet train service was temporarily halted in northeastern Japan, media reports said.

A tsunami warning was issued for Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. A small tsunami of up to 50 cm was expected along the affected region.

No abnormalities were reported by the Tokyo Electric Power Co. at the Fukushima nuclear power plant following the quake, said Kyodo news agency.

On March 11, a massive earthquake and an ensuing tsunami devastated Japan's northeast coastline, leaving around 14,000 dead and crippling the nuclear facility in Fukushima.