Japan hit by 6.9 magnitude earthquake with tsunami warning issued
The Japan Meteorological Agency has reported a 6.9 magnitude quake in southwestern Japan and issued a tsunami warning.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has reported a 6.9 magnitude quake in southwestern Japan and issued a tsunami warning.
Warnings of a tsunami were issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, where the quake was centred, in the south-western island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi Prefecture, shortly after the earthquake hit at 9.19pm local time on Monday (12.19pm UK time).
Reports suggested waves of up to a metre high could be expected.
The extent of damage from the earthquake was not immediately clear. The epicentre was offshore, at a depth of about 19 miles, Japanese officials said.
Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes because of its location along the "Ring of Fire", an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.