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

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 -- 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.

TOKYO and LONDON -- A tsunami advisory has now been lifted after an earlier warning in the wake of a strong earthquake Monday off the coast of Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture, officials said.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck southwestern Japan on Monday, with no immediate reports of injury or damage, and small t

Japan’s Meteorological Agency withdrew a tsunami advisory after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of southwest Japan.

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 – A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake shook parts of southern Japan on Monday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was reported about 7 miles to the east-southeast of Miyazaki just after 9 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) at a depth of about 30 miles.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan late on Monday, causing two small tsunamis in the area but no damage reported.

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

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 struck southwestern Japan on Monday, with no immediate reports of injury or damage, and small tsunamis observed in part of Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures, the weather agency said.

Japan's Sakura or cherry blossom season is always eagerly awaited by tourists, but unfortunately the pink blooming phenomenon is short-lived.