A magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocked southern Japan on Tuesday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a tsunami advisory for the coasts of the Ariake Sea and the Yatsushiro Sea.

The earthquake occurred in Kumamoto Prefecture shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time at a depth of just over 6 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Japanese news station NHK reported that the quake lasted for around one minute.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said in an emergency update that it had not recorded “abnormalities” at nearby facilities in Ikata and Genkai.

Officials urged people to stay away from the ocean and the sea shore.

A tsunami warning for a wave measuring one metre was issued after the earthquake, the Japan ​Meteorological Agency said.

However, no tsunami activity has been observed so far, according to the agency.

“This earthquake occurred inland, and no tsunami activity has been observed so far. For this reason, we hope to lift the tsunami advisory at a relatively early stage, depending on future sea level conditions,” a Japan Meteorological Agency spokesperson said.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that several injuries, collapsed buildings and fires had been reported after the earthquake.

“We are still assessing the extent of injuries and property damage, but I have been informed that there have already been several injuries,” Takaichi said.

“Power outages and fires are happening in some areas, and roads and bridges have been damaged and buildings collapsed,” she said.

The quake’s epicentre was recorded by the United States Geological Service as 4km southeast of Uki with a depth of 10km, at about 7.28pm (NZT) on Tuesday.

The NZ Civil Defence confirmed there was no tsunami threat for New Zealand, while the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no risk beyond Japan.

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