A powerful quake has rattled northern Japan, followed by several more temblors, the Japan Meteorological Agency says, prompting a tsunami advisory.

The earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7, struck off the coast of Iwate prefecture at a depth of 10km below the sea surface about 5pm on Sunday local time.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, or any reports of abnormalities at the two nuclear power plants in the area.

The agency issued an advisory for a tsunami of up to one metre along the northern coastal region. The advisory remained in place an hour after the initial quake.

Public broadcaster NHK warned people to stay away from coastal areas because of the danger of tsunami, and warned more shaking could follow in the area.

A tsunami of about 10cm was det

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