Powerful Earthquake Strikes Japan, Triggering Tsunami Advisory

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off Japan's southern coast on Thursday, prompting a tsunami advisory. The quake, centered in waters off the eastern coast of Kyushu, sent tsunami waves of up to 1.6 feet along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku. No injuries or serious damage have been reported yet, but residents were urged to stay away from the coastline.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported the quake, which occurred about 6:01 a.m. local time, with an epicenter approximately 60 miles southeast of Miyazaki City, Kyushu. The quake, initially measured at magnitude 7.3, was later revised down to 7.1.

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Japan, Triggering Tsunami Advisory

Tsunami waves of up to 1.6 feet were detected along parts of Kyushu's southern coast and Shikoku island about 30 minutes after the quake struck. The JMA issued a tsunami advisory for the affected areas, urging residents to evacuate to higher ground.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that officials were assessing possible injuries or severe damage, although none had been reported immediately. He advised residents of the affected region to stay away from the shoreline.

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Japan, Triggering Tsunami Advisory

Shigeki Aoki, an official from the Seismology Department, cautioned that strong aftershocks could occur for about a week. NHK public television reported that windows had been broken at Miyazaki airport near the epicenter, leading to a brief closure of the runway for safety checks.

In Osaki, Kagoshima prefecture, concrete walls collapsed, and a wooden house was damaged, but no injuries were reported. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that all 12 nuclear reactors in Kyushu and Shikoku, including three currently operating, remained secure.

Japan lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. A massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster, highlighting the need for vigilance in regions with nuclear power plants.

An earthquake on January 1 in Japan's north-central Noto region resulted in the deaths of over 240 people. The country continues to take precautions and implement seismic building standards to minimize the impact of earthquakes on its population and infrastructure.