The quake triggered emergency alerts across several prefectures on Kyushu island. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of a tsunami of up to one metre, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged people to stay away from the coast and prepare for possible aftershocks.
About 40,000 homes lost power, and high-speed bullet train service was suspended. Officials said there were no immediate reports of major damage or problems at nearby nuclear power plants, but damage assessments were still underway.
Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries because it sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where earthquakes happen frequently.
