6.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan...Tsunami Watch

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture east of Kyushu, Japan, and a tsunami warning was issued.

The Japan Meteorological Administration announced that a 6.9 magnitude earthquake was observed tonight at 9:19 p.m. in Chushinada, the sea off Miyazaki Prefecture east of Kyushu.

The epicenter is 30 kilometers deep.

The Japan Meteorological Administration issued a tsunami warning to Miyazaki and Shikoku Kochi prefectures right after the earthquake.

The highest expected tsunami height in the region is 1 meter, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The earthquake also detected tremors of magnitude 4 to 5 in the northern plains of Miyazaki Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, and Saga Prefecture.

Unlike the magnitude, which means absolute intensity, the earthquake rating of the Japan Meteorological Administration (KMA) is a numerical representation of the degree of shaking of surrounding objects in the event of an earthquake.

According to NHK, the Japan Meteorological Agency has decided to investigate whether the earthquake is related to the Great Nankai Sea Earthquake.

The Japan Meteorological Administration announced for the first time the "Temporary Information on the Nankai Sea Valley Earthquake," saying the possibility of a major earthquake off the Pacific coast was greater than usual after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, on August 8 last year.