A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kyushu island in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, resulting in several injuries, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and prompting a brief tsunami advisory.
The quake, which hit inland in Kyushu at 4:27 p.m. local time (7:27 a.m. GMT), had a shallow epicenter at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the meteorological agency. The agency has warned of potential strong aftershocks.
Footage aired by national broadcaster NHK showed cracked roads and bridges, and several buildings on fire. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that there had been several injuries, with about 10 injured individuals reported at an elderly care home and at least 50 people receiving hospital treatment, according to NHK.
Train services have been suspended, and electricity has been cut off for thousands of homes. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that first responders, including members of Japan's self-defense force, fire services, and coast guard, have been deployed.
"We urge residents in areas where the shaking was particularly severe to pay close attention to evacuation information issued by local authorities via radio, television and the internet, and to act calmly," Kihara said.
More than 150,000 people have been asked to move to evacuation shelters following the quake. The tremor briefly triggered a tsunami alert for coastal areas, which was lifted within the hour.
Japan, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, experiencing approximately 1,500 quakes annually. A magnitude 7.5 earthquake in northeastern Japan in December left 30 people wounded. In March 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake off the country's east coast triggered a massive tsunami that resulted in 18,000 fatalities.