7.1-magnitude earthquake hits southern Japan, cuts power and halts trains

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, cutting power to about 40,000 homes, halting bullet trains and closing Kumamoto airport. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a brief tsunami warning, later lifted, as officials ordered more than 150,000 residents to evacuate over fears of aftershocks and landslides.

What part of Japan did the earthquake hit?

The quake struck Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, and was felt across Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Miyazaki prefectures. The government issued emergency earthquake warnings for all seven areas. Kyushu sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a belt of volcanoes and oceanic trenches known for frequent seismic activity.

What did Japan's prime minister say?

Speaking to reporters at her office in Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the extent of casualties and property damage was still being assessed. She confirmed injuries had already been reported, along with power outages, fires, and damage to roads, bridges and buildings in some areas. Takaichi urged residents to evacuate to safe locations immediately.

What damage has been reported so far?

Public broadcaster NHK showed buildings on fire or collapsed, large cracks along roads including an elevated highway, and a derailed goods train. Chipmaker TSMC evacuated workers from its plant in the area as a precaution, while Sony said it was checking the situation at its own facility. Japan's nuclear regulator reported no irregularities at nuclear power stations in the region.

How has transport and power been affected?

Kyushu Electric Power said roughly 40,000 homes lost electricity as a result of the quake. Railway operator JR Kyushu suspended services, including its high-speed bullet trains, and Kumamoto airport shut its runway, forcing airlines to divert or cancel flights. Telecom carriers KDDI and Docomo reported mobile service disruptions tied to power shortages and transmission-line failures.

How often do earthquakes strike Japan?

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes somewhere in the country. Its position along the Ring of Fire means Japan accounts for about 20% of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher. Officials warned residents in the hardest-hit areas to stay alert for aftershocks for about a week.

How does this compare to Kumamoto's 2016 earthquake?

A massive earthquake in Kumamoto ten years ago killed 275 people and injured 2,739 others, according to an official count. That quake also damaged thousands of buildings, including the city's castle, one of the region's top tourist sites. Authorities have not yet said whether Tuesday's quake caused comparable structural damage.