TeleSUR
Japanese authorities reported a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the southwest of the island country on Thursday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami warning for the region.
The quake struck at 4:43 p.m. at a depth of 30 kilometers off the coast of Miyazaki prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu, the JMA said.
Due to the powerful tremor, the JMA issued a tsunami warning that estimates that a tsunami could reach a height of one meter on the coasts of Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Kochi, as well as the region of the islands of Tanegashima and Yakushima, near the epicenter of the quake.
Japanese authorities have urged people in areas affected by the quake to immediately move to higher ground for shelter.
Following the quake, Miyazaki Prefecture authorities have suspended train services until further notice.
Nuclear plants in Kyushu and Shikoku are being inspected for possible operational damage.
Japanese authorities said the quake did not cause significant material damage or casualties in the southwest of the island nation.
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