Quake with 7.1 magnitude hits western Japan

8:52 pm on 8 August 2024

A house is collapsed due to a massive earthquake in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan and Kyushu island region, on August 8, 2024. At 4:43 p.m. on Aug. 8th, the earthquake measuring magnitude 7.1 occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, with its epicenter in the Hyuga-Nada Sea. The Japan Meteorological Agency is investigating whether the earthquake is related to “Nankai megathrust earthquakes.”( The Yomiuri Shimbun ) (Photo by Wataru Hatae / Yomiuri / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP)

A house has reportedly collapsed in Miyazaki City due to an earthquake in southwestern Japan on 8 August, 2024. Photo: AFP/ Yomiuri Shimbun- Wataru Hatae

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit southwestern Japan on Thursday, but there were no immediate signs of major damage.

The quake initially triggered tsunami advisories for Japan's coastline, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, though national broadcaster NHK later said they had been lifted.

There had been no reports of abnormalities at nuclear power plants following the quake, and the government is checking for damage and casualties, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

The quake occurred about 4.43pm (0743 GMT) off Miyazaki prefecture on the western major island of Kyushu, the JMA said.

In Miyazaki, waves as high as 50cm were observed after the quake, public broadcaster NHK said.

- Reuters