Japan hit by powerful earthquake

The powerful tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers off the Sanriku coast and was felt as far away as Tokyo, where buildings were reported to have shaken.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has established a crisis management task force to coordinate the emergency response.

Residents in coastal areas have been urged to seek higher ground immediately as initial tsunami waves began reaching the shore.

This seismic event follows Japan's hottest summer on record, further straining the nation's emergency infrastructure.