Japan was hit by two powerful earthquakes measuring 6.9 and 7.1 on Thursday, rocking the southwestern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. Authorities have issued a tsunami warning for several areas and are closely monitoring the situation, state broadcaster NHK reported.
A tsunami warning has been issued for Miyazaki, Kochi, Oita, Kagoshima and Ehime prefectures. Waves as high as 20 centimetres have already been observed in Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu, news agency Reuters reported, citing NHK.
News agency AFP quoted NHK as saying that tsunamis up to one metre high are expected or have already hit some coastal areas of Kyushu and Shikoku islands.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said: “The tsunami will occur repeatedly. Please do not enter the sea or go near the coast until the warning is lifted.”
Immediately after the quake, NHK reported that the first waves had reached the coast of Miyazaki, but more were expected to come.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake struck less than 20 miles off the coast of Miyazaki. It was followed less than a minute later by a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake, according to the agency.
According to Japan’s earthquake monitoring agency NERV, the quake struck in the Hyuga-nada Sea.
NHK reported that nothing collapsed inside its offices in Miyazaki, but people on the second floor struggled to keep their balance. The police chief in Nichinan, in Kyushu, said no buildings in the area had collapsed, according to the broadcaster.
Additionally, the Kyushu Electric Power Company confirmed that its nuclear power plants were operating normally.
Shikoku Electric Power Co. also said there were no problems at the Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime Prefecture, NHK reported. It said there was no change in the values of monitoring posts measuring radiation levels in the surrounding area.
Arrivals and departures from Miyazaki Airport have been suspended for the time being due to the powerful earthquake that struck the region, NHK reported, citing Japan’s transport ministry.
Meanwhile, airport authorities are investigating the abnormalities.