Tokyo, July 28: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas. Local media reports advise residents to stay away from coastal areas and follow government instructions.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took to social media platform X to inform the public, stating, “At approximately 4:27 PM today, the earthquake was recorded at a maximum intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture. This intensity was noted in the cities of Uki and Hikawa. Following the quake, a tsunami warning has been issued for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea, with a potential tsunami height of about 1 meter. I urge everyone to take necessary precautions and move away from the beaches immediately.”
She added, “Immediately after the earthquake, the government established a disaster management office at the crisis management center of the Prime Minister’s Office and convened an emergency response team meeting with senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies. The government is fully engaged in assessing damage and implementing rescue, relief, and other emergency disaster management operations.”
The Prime Minister instructed relevant ministries and agencies to conduct a swift and accurate assessment of the damage. She emphasized the need for close coordination with local authorities, prioritizing human life in all rescue and relief efforts. Timely and accurate information regarding the tsunami and earthquake damages must be provided to the public. Residents in areas that experienced strong tremors are advised to remain vigilant, as further earthquakes may occur.
According to Kyodo News, the earthquake struck at 4:27 PM local time in Kumamoto Prefecture, with its epicenter located 10 kilometers deep underground. Earlier, on June 26, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in Yamanashi Prefecture and surrounding areas, resulting in minor injuries to 10 individuals. The epicenter of that quake was approximately 20 kilometers deep.
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