Tsunami Warning Canceled Following 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Off Southwest Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted a tsunami advisory after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of southwest Japan.

The earthquake, which hit at 9:19 p.m. local time (7:19 a.m. ET), prompted the agency to issue a tsunami advisory for Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu Island and Kochi Prefecture in the south of Japan.

A tsunami wave of about 1 meter (3.2 feet) made landfall within half an hour, according to the Associated Press, citing NHK TV.

Tsunami Warning Canceled Following 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Off Southwest Japan

While the advisory was lifted later on Monday night, officials continued to caution residents to avoid coastal areas, warning that subsequent waves could exceed the first in size.

Additionally, weather authorities noted that falling rocks and potential cliff collapses could still pose a danger if further earthquakes of similar magnitude occur in the region.

“Earthquakes can strike without warning, so it’s crucial to maintain daily preparedness,” officials said during a press briefing.

Japan, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location in a seismically active zone.

Last year, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued an urgent alert about a possible megathrust earthquake following tremors in the Hyuga-nada Sea, the same area where Monday’s earthquake originated.

The 2011 Tohoku earthquake, one of Japan's deadliest, struck northeast of Tokyo, causing massive devastation. The 9.1-magnitude quake triggered a tsunami and a nuclear disaster, leading to the deaths of at least 20,000 people, destroying homes, flooding cities, and leaving deep psychological scars on survivors.