Quake with 7.1 magnitude hits western Japan

Damage to a building in Miyazaki City after an earthquake in southwestern Japan on 8 August. 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