A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday, shaking a wide area and leading to reports of damage and injuries. Officials said the quake hit in the afternoon, raising immediate concern across parts of southern Japan.
After the tremor, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas. The advisory was later lifted within about two hours, and no tsunami was detected, easing one of the main fears that often follows a strong offshore or coastal quake in Japan.
Authorities continued assessing the impact in Kumamoto and surrounding areas as emergency teams responded. Early reports indicated that the earthquake caused structural damage and left some people hurt, though the full extent was still being reviewed in the hours after the shaking.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to stay alert as officials gathered information and monitored aftershocks. The powerful Kyushu earthquake once again highlighted Japan’s constant earthquake risk and the speed of its warning and response system.
