A powerful earthquake struck Japan's Northern coast on Thursday

A powerful earthquake struck Japan's Northern coast. The country's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says the government is making every effort to carry out emergency disaster response measures including search and rescue operations.

A powerful earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Iwate in Northeastern Japan with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 at around 7.30am Thursday.

The earthquake occurred in an area where strong tremors have repeatedly been reported in recent months.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says there is no risk of tsunami but urged residents to remain cautious.

She says the government is making every effort to carry out emergency disaster response measures including search and rescue operations.

Japan Times reports 10 people have been injured.