A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a tsunami advisory for coastal areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the alert, warning of potential waves of up to one meter (3.28 feet) in the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. local time at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The shaking registered the highest possible level seven on Japan’s Shindo scale in the hardest-hit areas. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that there were reports of injuries and collapsed buildings, emphasizing that the government’s top priority is the safety of its citizens. A task force has been established to assess damage and coordinate rescue efforts.
The JMA later indicated that no tsunami activity had been observed and that the advisory might be lifted soon, citing the inland nature of the earthquake. However, residents in affected coastal regions were urged to evacuate immediately and stay away from the sea until the advisory was fully lifted. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that there was no risk of a tsunami in Hawaii and American Samoa.
The earthquake caused widespread disruption, with thousands of households losing power. Local utility Kyushu Electric Power reported that approximately 45,000 households and facilities were without electricity in the Kumamoto region. High-speed Shinkansen bullet train services and other local rail lines across Kyushu were temporarily suspended for safety checks. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport was also closed, with operations yet to resume.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no irregularities at three nearby nuclear power stations, including the Sendai and Genkai plants, following the tremor. The Ministry of Defense has dispatched aircraft to the affected area to conduct aerial assessments of the situation.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located near Uto, a coastal city in Kumamoto Prefecture. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported the magnitude at 7.1 before revising it to 6.8, while Germany’s GEOFON seismic monitoring network also provided revised lower readings. The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for several prefectures across Kyushu, including Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto itself.
Authorities are cautioning residents about the possibility of strong aftershocks in the coming days, urging them to remain vigilant. The shallow nature of the earthquake is contributing to active seismic activity in the region, with concerns raised about the potential for another significant quake within the next two to three days. This event brings back memories of Japan’s seismic vulnerability, including the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that led to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
