6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Kyushu, tsunami advisory issued

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Kyushu, southern Japan, prompting tsunami advisories for Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. A 20-centimetre tsunami reached Miyazaki city, but no issues were reported at nearby nuclear power plants. Links to the Nankai Trough are under investigation.

An earthquake with an initial magnitude of 6.9 struck Japan's Kyushu region on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Tsunami advisories were issued for the southern prefectures of Miyazaki and Kochi, warning of waves up to 1 metre high. Public broadcaster NHK later reported a 20-centimetre tsunami reaching Miyazaki city, the prefectural capital, which is home to approximately 400,000 residents.

No irregularities were detected at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant in western Japan or the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture, NHK stated. These are the two facilities closest to the earthquake's epicentre.

The JMA is examining whether the earthquake may be linked to the Nankai Trough, NHK added. In August, Japan issued its first-ever advisory regarding elevated risks of a megaquake following significant seismic activity near a volatile seabed zone along the Pacific coast known as the Nankai Trough.

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