Magnitude-7.1 quake hits western Japan, no immediate signs of damage

TOKYO (Reuters) -- A magnitude-7.1 earthquake hit southwestern Japan on Thursday, triggering tsunami advisories, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. There were no immediate signs of major damage.

The tremor occurred at around 4:43 p.m. off Miyazaki Prefecture, the JMA said.

There have been no reports of abnormalities at nuclear power plants following the quake, and the government is checking for damage and casualties, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

In Miyazaki, waves as high as 50 centimeters have already been observed, public broadcaster NHK said.