[Breaking News] As a strong earthquake with a seismic intensity of 7 struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for nearby coastal areas.

The earthquake's magnitude was tentatively estimated at 7.1, with a focal depth of approximately 10 km. In some areas of Kumamoto Prefecture, shaking at seismic intensity 7, the highest level on Japan's earthquake intensity scale, was observed.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an emergency earthquake early warning for regions expected to experience strong shaking, and subsequently issued a tsunami advisory for the coastal areas of the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea. Residents along these coasts were urged to immediately leave the shoreline and move to safe locations.

Following the initial strong earthquake, powerful aftershocks continued in succession. At 4:29 p.m., an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 5-minus was observed, and at 4:39 p.m. and 4:59 p.m., shaking with a maximum intensity of 4 was confirmed, respectively.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that additional earthquakes may occur following the large-scale quake. No specific casualties or facility damage have been confirmed so far.