A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 hit the southwestern part of the country Japanthe state meteorological agency announced on Monday.

Tsunami warnings were issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, where the quake was centered, on the southwestern island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi Prefecture, shortly after the quake struck at 9:19 p.m. local time, the agency said.

US Geological Survey revised his assessment down from 6.9, adding that there is “no tsunami threat from this earthquake” for the United States.

However, the JMA urged the public to stay away from coastal waters.

“Tsunami may recur. Please do not enter the sea or approach coastal areas,” the agency posted on social media.

The extent of the damage was not immediately clear.

There were no reported irregularities at the Ikata nuclear power plant after the earthquake, NHK reported, citing Shikoku Electric Power, Reuters news agency reported.

Japan is often hit by earthquakes due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and faults in the Pacific Basin.

Last August, a strong earthquake hit southern Japancausing mostly minor injuries but raising concerns about possible major earthquakes emanating from the seabed east of the coast.

An earthquake on January 1, 2024 in north-central Japanmore than 240 people died in Not.