A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan`s southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory for parts of Kumamoto Prefecture.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake struck late Tuesday afternoon.
A tsunami advisory was issued for Ariake Bay along the western coast of Kumamoto, about 900 kilometres southwest of Tokyo.
Japan`s Nuclear Regulation Authority said initial inspections found no abnormalities at three nearby nuclear power plants following the quake.
Authorities continued to monitor the situation, while residents in affected coastal areas were urged to remain alert after the tsunami advisory was issued.
Kumamoto was previously devastated by a series of powerful earthquakes in 2016 that killed more than 50 people, injured around 1,800 others and damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes.
