Strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes southern Japan; tsunami alert issued

A strong earthquake hit southern Japan on Tuesday, registering a magnitude of 7.1 according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and 6.8 according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake was centered near the city of Kumamoto, about 600 miles south of Tokyo.A tsunami alert was issued, for waves of about one yard in height, but there were no immediate reports of damage, casualties or abnormalities at nuclear power plants in the region, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority said.The temblor measured at the highest possible level of seven on Japan's own Shindo scale, the agency said. Reporters watch the news showing a large earthquake in southern Japan, from an office in Tokyo, July 28, 2026. Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty There was no tsunami threat reported to Hawaii or American Samoa, according to the Honolulu-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a post on X that residents should avoid coastlines in the region due to the risk of possible tsunami waves. She said the government had established a task force to assess possible damage and prepare for any required rescue operations."We are putting people's lives as the top priority," Takaichi said...