Megaquake advisory issued (19:15 JST)
The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling on people in areas of the Nankai Trough quake's expected hypocenter to take disaster prevention measures. It says the possibility of a mega earthquake is higher than usual. It is asking people to take prevention measures in accordance with information provided by the central and local governments.
The agency is calling on people to ensure they are prepared on a daily basis, such as securing furniture in preparation for tremors, making arrangements to confirm the safety of family members and confirming locations of evacuation shelters. It also advises households and facilities with individuals who will take time to evacuate such as elderly people, people with physical disabilities and children to consider voluntary evacuation.
What is the Nankai Trough Earthquake?
The Nankai Trough earthquake is a massive magnitude 8-class temblor that regularly occurs every 100 to 200 years at the plate boundary between Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture and the Hyuganada Sea in Kyushu.
The government's Earthquake Research Committee estimates that there is a probability of 70 to 80 percent that a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8 to 9 will occur within the next 30 years.
According to a damage estimate announced 10 years ago, a wide area of eastern and western Japan would be struck by strong tremors if a maximum earthquake occurs, and a huge tsunami more than 30 meters high would hit coastal areas.
The latest estimate says about 230,000 people would be killed and about 2.09 million buildings would be damaged by fire or destroyed.
A strong earthquake has struck southwestern Japan
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the magnitude 7.1 quake occurred in and around Miyazaki Prefecture, and had an intensity of lower 6 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 in the hardest-hit areas.
Tsunami advisory lifted (22:00JST)
Japan's Meteorological Agency has lifted all tsunami advisories issued after the quake. But it is calling on people to stay cautious as tide levels could remain elevated along the coast from Kagoshima Prefecture to Wakayama Prefecture.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa (17:30 JST)
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa made the following statement at an extraordinary news conference.
"We are currently confirming the relationship with the Nankai Trough Earthquake. We are also confirming human and property damage."
"As of now, there have been no reports of abnormalities at nuclear facilities, including the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant."
"The government set up an emergency response office at the crisis management center of the prime minister's office immediately after the earthquake."
"I called up an emergency response team consisting of the bureau chiefs of relevant ministries and agencies. Based on instructions from the prime minister, the government is making an utmost effort to grasp the extent of damage and take emergency measures."
"We will continue to grasp the extent of damage and closely coordinate with local governments. We will make an utmost effort to take disaster emergency measures, placing top priority on rescue operations mainly by police, fire departments, Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard."
"People who live in areas struck by strong tremors should pay attention to evacuation information issued by municipalities as well as information on TV, radio and the Internet."
Kishida set up a task force (16:44 JST)
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio set up a crisis management task force at his office to oversee the government's response. It is gathering information by contacting relevant ministries, agencies and local governments.
Panel of experts examine Kyushu earthquake in link with Nankai Trough (17:00 JST)
The Japanese government's panel of experts are examining the strong earthquake in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures to see if there is a link to a highly anticipated massive earthquake in the Nankai Trough along the country's Pacific Coast.
Experts are meeting from 5:30 p.m. on Thursday to examine the details. They released what they call the "Nankai Trough Earthquake Extra Information" at 5 p.m.
Airport in Miyazaki resumes operation (19:10 JST)
Japan's transport ministry says departures and arrivals have resumed at Miyazaki Airport. Operations there were suspended after the quake jolted the facility.
No problem found at nuclear power plants (17:20 JST)
Kyushu Electric Power Company says no problems have been found at the Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Shikoku Electric Power Company also says there are no problems at the Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime Prefecture. It says there is no change in the values at monitoring posts that measure radiation levels in the surrounding area.
Video footage taken by NHK cameras at various locations in Miyazaki Prefecture.
This video taken by NHK shows cars moving when the earthquake struck.
Viewer video from a store in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, show items that fell.