Japan earthquake: What we know so far
A major 6.8 to 7.1 magnitude earthquake has struck Japan's Kyushu island, resulting in at least 13 deaths and widespread infrastructure damage. Rescue operations are currently underway as authorities manage power outages and evacuations.
Why it matters
Natural disasters of this scale have immediate humanitarian impacts and long-term economic consequences for regional stability.
Japan is reeling from the latest major earthquake to hit the country, which has left at least 13 people dead, according to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Rescuers are racing against time to find survivors trapped in the rubble, Takaichi said.
Nineteen people were earlier reported missing at an Aeon shopping mall and a paper factory after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Kyushu island, authorities said.
The quake has also caused power cuts, damaged roads, collapsed a castle wall and destroyed a footbridge while local officials say 9,872 people have been evacuated. Information is still coming out of Japan but here is what we know so far.
The quake hit Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island at 16:27 local time (07:27 GMT) on Tuesday, with hundreds of thousands of people being told to move to evacuation shelters.
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