Powerful 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan Coast

Nine people sustained injuries after a powerful earthquake hit Japan’s southern coast, sparking a tsunami advisory.

TOKYO, Japan — A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Japan on Thursday. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported it originated 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) deep in waters near Kyushu island, specifically shaking Nichinan city and surrounding areas in Miyazaki prefecture.

Tsunami waves reaching up to 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) were observed on Kyushu’s southern coast and Shikoku island. The advisory was retracted for most coastlines, except those in Miyazaki prefecture.

The Japan Meteorological Agency held an emergency meeting to assess whether the quake impacted the Nankai Trough. They warned that the probability of a future significant earthquake in the area from Kyushu to central Japan has increased.

University of Tokyo seismologist Naoshi Hirata stated there’s a 70-80% chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake occurring in the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years. While the timing can’t be pinpointed, residents are advised to review their earthquake preparedness.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that the injuries were primarily minor, caused by falls and object impacts. No reports of serious damage have surfaced yet.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reassured that officials are assessing the situation and urged residents to avoid the coastline. Shigeki Aoki from the JMA Seismology Department cautioned about potential strong aftershocks over the next week.

Reports from NHK public television indicated broken windows at Miyazaki airport and temporary runway closures for safety checks. In Kagoshima prefecture’s Osaki, concrete walls collapsed, and a wooden house was damaged without any injuries reported.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed the safety of all 12 nuclear reactors on Kyushu and Shikoku. Earthquake impacts on nuclear plants have been a significant concern since the March 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Japan, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent earthquakes. In a recent event on January 1, an earthquake in Noto caused over 240 fatalities.