- This story is developing, there will be more to follow.
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 shook southwestern Japan, the country’s Meteorological Agency reported Monday.
Tsunami warnings were issued for the earthquake-centered Miyazaki Prefecture on the southwestern island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi Prefecture, shortly after the quake struck at 9:19 p.m. local time, according to the agency.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the warning for tsunami waves of up to one meter, adding that it rated the earthquake as a minus five on the Japanese seismic scale of seven.
According to the scale, earthquakes with an intensity less than five will likely cause windows to break, utility poles to move, and cause minor damage to roads.
In addition, rockfalls and landslides may occur.
The extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Center said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 37 kilometers (23 miles).
The JMA urged the public to stay away from coastal waters, writing in a post to X: ‘Tsunamis can strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or approach coastal areas.’
Japan is frequently affected by earthquakes due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific basin.
More to follow.