A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on the 28th, with maximum
seismic intensity of 7 on Japan’s scale. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued
a tsunami advisory for coastal waters near the epicenter, warning of waves up to
1 meter. The quake occurred at about 16:27 local time (15:27 Beijing); epicenter
32.6°N, 130.7°E; focal depth ~10 km. Multiple aftershocks around magnitude 4
were recorded within 20 minutes. Television footage showed strong shaking in
Kumamoto; Xinhua’s Seoul correspondent reported tremors felt in Busan and some
residents evacuated.
