A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit the island of Kyushu in southern Japan on Thursday. Earlier, Japanese public broadcaster NHK had reported the quake's preliminary magnitude as 6.9. The archipelago, which is home to about 125 million people, experiences approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually. Most of these are minor, but the extent of damage can vary depending on their location and depth below the Earth's surface. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami that has reached the western Miyazaki prefecture, according to sources.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake was centered off the eastern coast of Kyushu, Japan's southern main island, at a depth of approximately 30 kilometers.

In response to the quakes, the Japanese government has established a special task force, as reported. The agency noted that there were no immediate indications of significant damage. Japan, known for its high seismic activity, has stringent building codes designed to ensure that structures can endure even the strongest earthquakes.