A preliminary magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Japan’s southern Kyushu region, with its epicentre in Kumamoto prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake prompts Japan’s government to issue emergency earthquake warnings for multiple prefectures across southern Kyushu, including Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Miyazaki. A tsunami warning is also issued after the earthquake, with the Japan Meteorological Agency stating an initial warning figure of about a 1-metre wave. Some reports say the earthquake triggers alerts for aftershocks and causes disruptions such as power outages affecting thousands of homes and the suspension of rail services, including Shinkansen operations, while checks are carried out by relevant operators.
Other outlets also report that nuclear power facilities under Kyushu Electric Power are not immediately reported to have irregularities following the quake. A Philippine government agency also states there is no tsunami threat to the Philippines. Companies with sites in the area, including Sony and TSMC, are reported to be checking conditions. The earthquake occurs in a region prone to frequent seismic activity along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
