A magnitude 7.4 earthquake trashed a grocery store in northeastern Japan on Wednesday, March 16.

Video taken in Natori City in Miyagi prefecture shows shattered glass doors that were dislodged from the shop's entrance after the quake. The tremors also triggered a fire alarm in a nearby store.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at least four people had died while Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed at least 94 injuries.

The earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima prefecture at 11:36 pm local time at a depth of 60 kilometres, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Tsunami warnings were raised, but cancelled early Thursday morning.

The region was devastated in 2011 by a tsunami and nuclear plant meltdowns triggered by a powerful magnitude 9.1 earthquake. The tragedy left almost 20,000 people dead and 2,500 others missing.

Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area frequently disturbed by intense volcanic eruptions and earthquakes due to plate tectonics.