A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 struck southwestern Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Monday, warning the public to stay away from coastal areas due to the risk of a tsunami.
According to the agency, immediately after the earthquake occurred at 9:19 p.m. local time, a tsunami advisory was issued for Miyazaki Prefecture in southwestern Kyushu, where the epicenter was, and neighboring Kochi Prefecture.
There were no immediate reports of damage. Residents of coastal cities in Kochi prefecture were told to evacuate as a precaution.
Public broadcaster NHK Television said the tsunami, estimated to be 1 meter (3.2 feet) high, reached land within 30 minutes of the quake. According to reports, the water depth detected at Miyazaki Port was 20 centimeters high.
The epicenter of the quake was at a depth of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, and shook large areas of Kyushu, southwest of the main island.
Japan is frequently struck by earthquakes because it is located along the Pacific Rim of Volcano, an arc of volcanoes and faults in the Pacific Basin.
NHK television footage showed moving traffic and well-lit streets, showing power was still running. No problems were detected at various monitoring posts at nuclear power plants in the region.
