7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Japan’s Kyushu island

TOKYO – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture on July 28, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.A tsunami warning for a wave measuring 1m was issued after the earthquake, the JMA said.The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all on Japan’s southern Kyushu island.JMA said the quake reached the highest level of seven on the country’s Shindo seismic intensity scale.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said no tsunami threat is expected for Hawaii and American Samoa.Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes.Located along the “Ring of Fire” of volcanoes and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for about 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or more.Kyushu Electric Power said there were no reports of irregularities at its Sendai and Genkai nuclear power stations after the earthquake.Train operator JR Kyushu said that it has suspended services, including its high-speed Shinkansen trains, following the quake.In a Facebook post on July 28, the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo urged Singaporeans in Japan to monitor local conditions closely.It also advised them to refer to the JMA and NHK World-Japan websites for the latest updates, warnings and advisories.Those who require consular assistance may also contact the Embassy on +81 3 3586 9111. REUTERS