A strong earthquake hit Japan´s southern island of Okinawa early, but no major damage was reported.

The U-S. Geological Survey said the 7.3 magnitude quake struck at 5:31 a.m. on Saturday 52 miles east of the island´s capital of Naha, a city of about 320,000 about 1,000 miles south of Tokyo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency, which put the magnitude at 6.9, warned residents near the coast to evacuate to high ground for possible tsunamis up to 6.6 feet, but the tsunami warning was later lifted.

Agency official said tsunamis up to 3.9 inches were observed in the main island of Okinawa, and under 2.8 inches in nearby islands.

In the main island of Okinawa, locals witnessed the quake was one that rarely experienced in the region.