Southern Japan hit by 7.1-magnitude quake, causing small tsunamis with minor damage

The quake hit at 4.42pm (0742 GMT) off Kyushu at a depth of 25 kilometres (16 miles), the agency said.

The agency had initially reported two strong quakes, with magnitudes of 6.9 and 7.1, but later said there had only been one tremor.

“This error has been fixed. There was one event,” the USGS said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also reported a single quake with a magnitude of 7.1.

Broadcaster NHK showed footage of traffic lights shaking violently in Miyazaki on Kyushu’s southeast coast.

“The surface of the sea is wavering. I felt an intense jolt when the quake happened which lasted for between 30 seconds and a minute,” one local official told NHK.

The broadcaster also reported that three people were hurt in Miyazaki but gave no indication of the extent of their injuries.

Tsunamis of up to one metre were initially expected to arrive or had arrived in some coastal areas in Kyushu and Shikoku islands, the JMA said.

The agency also said a small tsunami was possible in Chiba, about 850km from the epicentre.

“Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or approach the coast until the warning is lifted,” the agency said on social media platform X.

However, tsunamis of only 50cm, 20cm, and 10cm were confirmed to have hit some places, including the port of Miyazaki, more than an hour after the quake, it said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning that said hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300km of the epicentre.

No abnormalities were reported at atomic power plants in the area, according to the nuclear regulation authority.

Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said “damage to people and property” was still being assessed.

“In view of this situation, the prime minister instructed [officials] to