SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- No South Korean casualties have been reported from an earthquake that struck Japan earlier this week, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it held a joint meeting with Seoul's consulate general in Fukuoka earlier in the day to discuss safety measures for South Korean nationals residing in Japan.

The consulate general said no reports of South Korean casualties had been received as of 4:00 p.m.

"We plan to maintain contact with relevant Japanese authorities and Korean communities to monitor the situation and take necessary measures, including issuing safety notifications," the diplomatic mission said.

The earthquake struck 23 kilometers south of Kumamoto, Japan, at 4:27 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

Around 160 aftershocks have been reported following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake.

colin@yna.co.kr

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