Magnitude 7.1 quake rattles Kumamoto, tsunami advisory issued

A shallow magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a tsunami advisory for Ariake Bay on the western coast, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted on X urging residents to stay away from the coastline, noting that a tsunami of up to one metre was possible and that a task force had been formed to assess damage and coordinate rescue efforts.

"We are putting people’s lives as the top priority," Takaichi said, adding that residents should remain cautious amid the risk of strong aftershocks.

JMA Earthquake and Tsunami Countermeasures planning officer Shinji Kiyomoto told reporters that the quake had activated seismic activity in the area and warned of the potential for another large tremor within the next two to three days, though no tsunami had been observed so far and the advisory was expected to be lifted soon.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported no damage to major public facilities, while the Nuclear Regulation Authority found no irregularities at three nearby nuclear plants. Shinkansen and local trains in Kyushu were halted for safety inspections, and Aso Kumamoto Airport’s runway was closed with no immediate prospect of reopening. The Defense Ministry dispatched aircraft to assess the situation. The U.S. Geological Survey initially listed the quake at magnitude 7.1 but later revised it to 6.8.