A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kyushu island on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning and emergency alerts across several prefectures.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake’s epicentre was located beneath the sea at a depth of 10 kilometres off Kumamoto Prefecture.
Tsunami Warning Issued
Following the quake, the JMA issued a tsunami warning for waves of up to 1 metre (3.28 feet).
Residents in coastal areas were advised to move immediately to higher ground and follow evacuation instructions issued by local authorities.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that tsunami waves of the predicted height may already have reached parts of the coastline.
Emergency Response Underway
The Japanese Prime Minister’s Office instructed relevant agencies to quickly assess the extent of damage and prioritise rescue and emergency response operations.
Emergency earthquake alerts were issued for several prefectures on Kyushu, including:
- Kumamoto
- Nagasaki
- Kagoshima
- Fukuoka
- Saga
- Oita
- Miyazaki
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation for aftershocks and possible tsunami impacts.
Second Major Quake in Recent Weeks
The latest earthquake comes weeks after another powerful tremor struck Japan. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit northern Japan on June 25, though it caused no major casualties or significant damage.
Earlier this year, on April 20, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook northern Japan, injuring at least 10 people and prompting authorities to issue a temporary advisory warning of an increased risk of stronger earthquakes.
Japan’s High Earthquake Risk
Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet.
The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year and accounts for nearly 18% of the world’s seismic activity.
The nation continues to carry memories of the devastating 2011 magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami, which claimed around 18,500 lives and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert, follow official advisories and prepare for possible aftershocks.
