A large earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, hit Japan today ( March 14 ) at just after 6pm local time. The epicenter was offshore in North East Japan, roughly between the Hokkaido and Honshu islands. Honshu is Japan's largest island, and the quake was felt across the northern part, but not further south in Tokyo. The earthquake was also near the Fukushima nuclear power station, devastated by last year's quake and tsunami.

Early reports suggest little or no damage, although some towns have been evacuated. Several aftershocks were reported in the same area, measuring from 5.3 to 5.9 on the Richter scale. Authorities issued tsunami warnings after the earthquake, but later gave the all clear. So far, no deaths or injuries have been reported.

The earthquake came almost exactly a year after the magnitude 9 quake and following tsunami that killed thousands and caused the catastrophe at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com