7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 slammed southwest Japan, sending several of the western islands into a state of tsunami warnings and leaving most casualties with minor injuries. According to Japan's meteorological office, the earthquake struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture at 4.42 p.m. local time (7.42 a.m. GMT) and a depth of roughly 18 miles (29 km).

On the island of Kyushu, nine persons were reported hurt, although the majority of those wounds were minor. After a while, the tsunami warnings were withdrawn and there were no reports of significant damage. The magnitude was initially reported by Japan's earthquake monitors as 6.9, however this was later corrected to 7.1. Residents in the coastal prefectures of Kochi and Miyazaki are being advised to leave their houses until the tsunami danger is canceled, according to officials. But after the earthquake, seismologists reconvened and increased the probability of significant earthquakes connected to the Nankai Trough, which is located east of southern Japan.

As meteorologists warned that there was a greater than usual chance of a significant earthquake along the Pacific coast, Japan's prime minister Fumio Kishida canceled his plans to travel to central Asia for summits with regional leaders, according to national broadcaster NHK. Japan is planning to cancel Mr. Kishida's trip in order to prepare for any scenario, even if the warning does not guarantee that such an earthquake would occur. NHK said that they aim to hold part of the meetings virtually instead.

According to AFP, which cited a statement from the Japanese government, a special task force has been established in reaction to the earthquakes. The agency said there were no immediate indications of significant damage. Strict building regulations are in place in Japan, one of the tectonically most active nations in the world, to guarantee that buildings can survive the strongest earthquakes. Approximately 1,500 earthquakes are recorded in the nation annually, more than any other.

The largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan occurred in 2011 and had a tremendous magnitude of 9.0. The epicentre of the earthquake was located not far off the northeast coast, and it caused a significant tsunami that claimed the lives of about 18,500 people.