Strong earthquake hits central Japan, injuring at least 39 in Nagano

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has hit central Japan injuring at least 39 people as their homes collapsed in Nagano.

According to ABC News, around 10 homes collapsed in the mountainous Nagano Prefecture, temporarily trapping 21 people.

Water and electricity was cut in around 1,500 homes as the quake caused landslides blocking eight routes in the affected areas.

There was no tsunami alert as the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometres at its epicentre.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said that an advanced party of the country's military had been sent to the affected areas.