Light fixtures shook as a magnitude 5.9 earthquake rocked Japan on Thursday evening.

Footage shows the light fixture swinging violently while tremors were felt in Saitama Prefecture in the Greater Tokyo area.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit northwestern Chiba Prefecture east of Tokyo at a depth of 80 kilometres.

More than 20 people were reported injured due to the tremors - the strongest felt in Japan's capital since 2011.

The Tokyo Electric Power Company said more than 250 households were affected by power outages. Operations in more than 20 commuter lines in Tokyo were temporarily suspended, with some resuming operations early Friday morning.

The Japanese government has set up an emergency response task force to 'coordinate with local authorities on response,' Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.

He said: 'Take actions to protect your lives while confirming the latest information.'

Tokyo last experienced an earthquake with a magnitude stronger than 5 last March 11, 2011, when a magnitude 9.0 quake struck northeastern Japan.