Magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Japan's Kyushu region

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake’s epicentre was in Kumamoto Prefecture. Authorities issued a tsunami warning for waves of up to 1 metre following the powerful tremor.

The Japanese government also issued emergency earthquake alerts for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, urging residents to take immediate safety precautions. Rail operator JR Kyushu suspended several train services, including its high-speed Shinkansen trains, as a precaution following the earthquake.

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Kyushu Electric Power said there were no reports of any irregularities at the Sendai and Genkai nuclear power plants, easing concerns about nuclear safety. Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where earthquakes and volcanic activity occur frequently.

The country experiences thousands of earthquakes every year, and authorities maintain strict emergency response systems to minimise the impact of major natural disasters. Officials continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents in affected areas to remain alert, follow official instructions, and stay away from coastal areas until the tsunami warning is lifted.