A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan's southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, with its epicentre located 10 kilometres below the seabed, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Authorities issued a tsunami warning, forecasting waves of up to one metre, and urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground immediately.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said injuries have been reported and at least one building collapsed following the quake. Emergency earthquake alerts were issued across several Kyushu prefectures, while authorities launched rapid damage assessments and emergency response operations. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at nearby nuclear power plants.

Japan, located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is one of the world's most earthquake-prone nations. The latest tremor comes just days after another strong earthquake struck northern Japan, although it caused no major damage. The country continues to maintain high levels of preparedness following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

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