Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami warning for waves of up to 1 metre along nearby coasts. Emergency alerts were issued across several prefectures on Kyushu as authorities warned residents to stay away from the shoreline.

The quake hit in the late afternoon local time and was strong enough to cause damage in parts of the region, with reports of injuries and some collapsed buildings. Officials said the shaking was centered in southern Japan and prompted immediate response measures as local communities assessed the damage. Japan’s meteorological agency issued the tsunami warning quickly after the quake, though the broader Pacific tsunami threat remained limited. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no risk for Hawaii or American Samoa, while local coastal areas in Japan were told to remain alert until the warning eased.

The earthquake has once again highlighted Japan’s exposure to strong seismic activity and the need for rapid emergency readiness. For now, the focus is on safety, damage checks and monitoring whether any tsunami waves reach the coast.