Japan Issues Unprecedented Earthquake Advisory, PM Cancels Trip

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has cancelled his visit to Central Asia and Mongolia following the Japan Meteorological Agency's first-ever advisory of a heightened risk of a major earthquake along the Pacific coast. The advisory follows a magnitude 7.1 tremor on Kyushu island.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called off his planned visit to Central Asia and Mongolia this weekend after receiving an unprecedented advisory from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) about an increased risk of a significant earthquake along the Pacific coast.

The advisory, issued on Thursday for the first time, follows a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit the southwestern island of Kyushu on the same day. Though no immediate evacuations were required, Kishida emphasized the need for heightened preparedness and communication.

The advisory has notably increased the probability of a major quake in the Nankai trough, an area notorious for triggering catastrophic tsunamis. Local authorities and businesses have already begun to take precautionary measures as Japan approaches its summer holiday season.

(With inputs from agencies.)