Strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes southern Japan; tsunami alert issued

Core Impact Points

• A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture, prompting a tsunami alert.
• The quake measured at the highest possible level on Japan's Shindo scale, indicating a significant seismic event.
• There was no tsunami threat to Hawaii or American Samoa, according to the Pacific Tsunami warning center.
• The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a one-meter-high tsunami alert, but its impact is still being assessed.
• The earthquake's impact on the US market and economy is unclear at this time, but it may affect global supply chains and trade.