A magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes near Kumamoto in Japan’s Kyushu region, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami alert, according to multiple reports. The quake is measured at 7.1 on the magnitude scale cited by the outlets, and its shaking is assessed as up to shindo 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. Shindo 7 is the highest level on Japan’s scale of observed ground shaking. The reports describe the tremor as violent and note that the intensity reaches the maximum possible rating, indicating severe effects in the affected area. While the articles focus on the magnitude and seismic intensity, they consistently link the event to the issuance of a tsunami alert, reflecting concerns about possible coastal hazards even though detailed impacts are not included in the provided excerpts. The earthquake’s epicentral location is described as being in or near Kumamoto, and the event is presented as a significant seismic event due to both its magnitude and the highest recorded shindo level.