Tsunami waves began arriving along the southern coast of Japan following two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 6.9 and 7.1 on Thursday afternoon.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for the coastal regions on the southern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, reported that the advisories for expected waves up to one meter in height covered Miyazaki, Kochi, and other nearby prefectures.
About half an hour later, NHK announced that the first waves had reached the coast of Miyazaki, with more expected. The Japan Meteorological Agency issues tsunami advisories for expected waves up to one meter, which could potentially capsize small vessels. Under such advisories, residents are advised to evacuate coastal areas.
The first earthquake struck less than 20 miles off the coast of Miyazaki on Kyushu, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. This was followed less than a minute later by a stronger earthquake of magnitude 7.1.
Inside NHK offices in Miyazaki, no items had fallen over, but people were struggling to stand on the second floor. According to NHK, the police chief of Nichinan city in Kyushu reported no building collapses in the area.
The Kyushu Electric Power Company confirmed that its nuclear power plants were operating normally despite the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami advisory.
