A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the Tokara Islands in southern Japan at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported. The quake, at a depth of 10 km, had its epicenter near Toshima village in Kagoshima Prefecture, which recorded a seismic intensity of lower 5.

Authorities are monitoring surrounding areas and advising caution amid a continuing earthquake swarm since late June, according to Xinhua.