A strong earthquake struck southwestern Japan, the U.S. Geological Survey said, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory.

Japan's nuclear plants faced global scrutiny after the devastating 2011 tsunami triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.

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.

TOKYO (AP) — 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 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's southwest coast Monday. Tsunami warnings for nearby areas have been lifted.

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.

A nearly 7.0 earthquake rocked southern Japan on Monday with no reports of damage to the two nuclear power plants in the area.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan issued a tsunami advisory on Monday after a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the southwest of the country. The public warnings to stay away from coastal areas were later lifted.

A strong earthquake measuring a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 has rattled southwestern Japan; the west coast is not in danger of a tsunami.