Strong Earthquake Hits Off Kyushu, Japan: Tsunami Advisory Issued

A powerful earthquake shook the southern coast of Japan on Thursday, prompting a tsunami advisory from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The quake, measured at a magnitude of 7.1, hit just off the eastern coast of Kyushu island, striking at around 4:42 p.m. local time.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of about 30 kilometers (or roughly 18.6 miles). Following the tremor, tiny tsunami waves of up to 50 centimeters (about 1.6 feet) were recorded along parts of Kyushu’s southern shoreline and the nearby island of Shikoku.

Most of the shaking was felt particularly strongly in Nichinan city, located in Miyazaki prefecture. Three people were reported injured, according to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, although he noted that there were no reported issues with electrical outages or damage to water and communication systems in the area.

Police in Miyazaki received about ten reports of damage, but overall, much of the destruction appears to be on the lighter side. Residents were urged to stay away from coastal areas as safety officials monitored the situation closely.

Seismologists quickly convened to determine if the earthquake might have affected the Nankai Trough, a zone known for generating past devastating quakes. They issued an advisory describing a “mega earthquake caution,” indicating the likelihood of a major quake in the near future has increased but isn’t guaranteed.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed the nation, asking citizens to remain informed and to review their earthquake preparedness plans. The caution extends for about a week as officials continue to assess potential aftershocks.

Meanwhile, in Miyazaki prefecture, reports included broken windows at the airport and some inconvenience from landslides and traffic lights malfunctioning. In Kagoshima prefecture, a few concrete walls collapsed and a wooden house sustained damage.

In light of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which was triggered by a major earthquake and tsunami, the safety of nuclear plants in Kyushu and Shikoku remains a top priority, and officials stated all 12 nuclear reactors in those areas are safe.