- A 7.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the southern coast of Japan, prompting a tsunami advisory.
- The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that tsunami waves of up to 1.6 feet were observed along parts of Kyushu island and Shikoku island approximately half an hour after the earthquake occurred.
- An official from the Seismology Department cautioned that significant aftershocks might be experienced for around a week.
A powerful earthquake struck off the southern coast of Japan on Thursday, leading to a tsunami advisory. Residents were advised to avoid the coastline, although there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.
The Japan Meteorological Agency indicated that the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.1, was centered in waters off the eastern coast of Kyushu’s main island at a depth of about 18.6 miles.
The tremors were felt most intensely in the city of Nichinan and surrounding areas in Miyazaki prefecture on Kyushu island.
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The agency noted that tsunami waves measuring up to 1.6 feet were recorded along the southern coast of Kyushu and the nearby island of Shikoku about thirty minutes following the quake.
Seismologists convened an emergency meeting to determine if the earthquake had impacted the nearby Nankai Trough, known for its history of devastating earthquakes.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that officials were evaluating potential injuries or significant damage, though none had been reported immediately. He urged residents in the affected areas to refrain from approaching the coastline.
Visitors to the Peace Park in Nagasaki respond to an earthquake alert issued on August 8, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Seismology Department official Shigeki Aoki warned that intense aftershocks may be expected for approximately a week.
According to Japan’s NHK public television, windows were shattered at Miyazaki airport, which is located near the epicenter. The airport’s runway was temporarily closed to conduct safety inspections.
NHK also reported that many individuals gathered at a designated evacuation area on a hilltop.
In Osaki, a neighboring area within Kagoshima prefecture, concrete walls collapsed and a wooden structure sustained damage; however, no injuries were reported.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that all 12 nuclear reactors situated on Kyushu and Shikoku, including three currently operational, remained secure.
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Concerns over earthquakes in regions with nuclear facilities have heightened since a major earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Japan is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the most earthquake-prone nations globally.
On January 1st, an earthquake in Japan’s north-central region of Noto resulted in over 240 fatalities.
