Japan's government activated an emergency task force on Tuesday after a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu, causing widespread power outages, transport disruptions, and prompting evacuation orders.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the quake struck at around 4:27 p.m. local time, with the strongest shaking registering the maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic scale in parts of Kumamoto Prefecture.
A tsunami warning for waves of up to one metre was issued immediately after the earthquake, with authorities urging people to leave coastal areas and those at sea to return to shore. The Japan Meteorological Agency later lifted the warning.
Kihara said no abnormalities had been reported at nuclear facilities, including the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant, while officials continued to assess casualties and damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The government established an Emergency Response Office at the Prime Minister's Office and convened senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate disaster response, damage assessment, and search-and-rescue operations.
Residents were also warned to remain vigilant for strong aftershocks, with authorities urging those in the hardest-hit areas to monitor official evacuation advisories and act promptly if needed.
The earthquake left about 40,000 households without electricity, according to Kyushu Electric Power. Rail services, including Kyushu's high-speed bullet trains, were suspended, while Kumamoto Airport temporarily closed its runway, disrupting flights.
Japan sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," one of the world's most active seismic zones, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
Posted by: Alma Angeles/NET25 News
