A strong earthquake shakes part of southern Japan but no tsunami detected
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, causing injuries, infrastructure damage, and temporary tsunami advisories. Government officials have launched a task force to assess the situation and coordinate rescue efforts.
Why it matters
Natural disasters in seismically active regions like Japan highlight the ongoing need for robust emergency response infrastructure and public safety preparedness.
TOKYO — An earthquake registering a magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon, causing damage and injuries, officials said. A tsunami advisory was temporarily issued but was lifted within two hours, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The agency said the tsunami advisory covered the nearby Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas on the western coasts of Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures about 900 kilometers (560 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, but revised it later to 6.8.
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in a message posted on X, said her government has set up a task force to gather information, assess possible damage and prepare for rescue operations if needed.
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