A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's southwestern Kyushu region on Tuesday, prompting a tsunami warning and emergency alerts across multiple prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported the tremor, which occurred at 4:27 PM local time (3:27 PM Singapore time), measured the highest possible level seven on Japan's Shindo scale of shaking. The agency issued a tsunami warning for waves of up to one meter, though the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later stated the threat had passed for Hawaii and American Samoa.
The quake caused power outages for about 45,000 households in Kumamoto, according to local utility Kyushu Electric Power. No immediate abnormalities were reported at nuclear power plants in the region. Train services, including high-speed Shinkansen trains, were suspended following the tremor. Authorities urged residents in coastal areas to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions.
Japan, located along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' is one of the world's most seismically active countries. The tremor marked the second major earthquake to hit Japan in 2026, following a 7.5-magnitude quake in April that triggered tsunami alerts in northern prefectures.