Tokyo: A 6.9-magnitude earthquake followed by a 7.1-magnitude aftershock struck southern Japan on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said. Tsunamis of up to one meter were expected to reach or have already reached some coastal areas on the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, NHK said. The first quake struck at a depth of 33 kilometers followed by a second at a depth of 25 kilometers, the USGS said. The Japanese government has set up a special task force in response to the tremors, according to a statement.
