TOKYO — A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 has hit southwestern Japan, the country’s Meteorological Agency said Monday, while warning the public to stay away from coastal areas because of a tsunami threat.

A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 hit southwestern Japan, the country’s Meteorological Agency said Monday

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan, prompting tsunami warnings for Miyazaki and Kochi Prefectures. The quake occurred at 9:19 pm local time, with damage assessments ongoing. Japan’s location along the Ring of Fire makes it prone to seismic activity.

TOKYO — A tsunami advisory was issued for part of southwest Japan after a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Monday, but the warnings to stay away from coastal areas were later lifted. A few instances of minor damage were reported. Japan’s Meteorological Agency initially estimated the magnitude was 6.9 but later revised it to 6.6.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the advisory for tsunami waves of up to one meter after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan late on January 13. The US Geological Survey said that the earthquake struck off Miyazaki prefecture in the Kyushu region around 21:19 pm (1219 GMT).

At least three people were injured in the wake of a magnitude 6.6 earthquake that struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture in southwest Japan on th･･･