[KyodoNews] An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit southwestern Japan on Thursday and tsunami advisories were issued for the Pacific coast extending to the western part of the country, sparking concerns that a megaquake may occur in the near future.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an urgent advisory on the trench-type megaquake for the first time, warning the possibility of the quake happening along the Nankai Trough, stretching from off southwestern to central Japan, is relatively higher than usual.
In consideration of the advisory, Central Japan Railway Co. said it will run the Tokaido Shinkansen Line at a slower pace than usual for about one week, while suspending operations of some expresses in the western part of the nation.
Around a dozen injuries were reported and several buildings were damaged, according to disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura.
Tsunami advisories were issued for Kochi, Ehime, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, but the weather agency lifted them all by 10 p.m.
|