TOKYO—On Thursday, a strong earthquake off the southern coast of Japan caused a tsunami warning. Although locals were advised to avoid the shoreline, there were no early reports of significant damage or casualties.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 and was located at a depth of around 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) off the eastern coast of Kyushu, the southernmost island of Japan.
On Kyushu island, the Miyazaki prefecture's Nichinan city and surrounding regions felt the brunt of the earthquake.
About 30 minutes after the earthquake, the agency reported that tsunami waves as high as 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) were seen in several areas of the southern coast of Kyushu and the neighboring island of Shikoku.
In order to determine whether the earthquake had an impact on the adjacent Nankai Trough, the epicenter of previous catastrophic earthquakes, seismologists were convening an emergency conference.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that although no casualties or significant damage were immediately reported, officials were still evaluating the possibility. He advised those living in the impacted area to avoid going near the coast.
There have been reports of smashed glass at the Miyazaki airport close to the epicenter, according to national broadcaster NHK in Japan.
All 12 nuclear reactors on Kyushu and Shikoku, including the three that are now in operation, are safe, according to the Nuclear Regulation Authority.
Since the Fukushima nuclear accident was caused by a large earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, earthquakes in regions with nuclear power plants have become a serious worry.
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone nations in the world and is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a chain of seismic faults that surrounds the Pacific Ocean.
More than 240 people died as a result of an earthquake that struck Japan's north-central area of Noto on January 1.
