Earthquake Of Magnitude 7.1 Jolts Kyushu, Japan; Govt Set Up Special Task Force

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Kyushu, Japan, on Thursday. According to reports the quake's preliminary magnitude was 6.9. Japan Meteorological Agency says the seismic activity was centered off eastern coast of Japan's southern main island of Kyushu at a depth of about 30 kilometres. The Japanese government set up a special task force in response to the quake. There were no immediate reports of major damage. Japan, one of the world's most tectonically active countries has strict building standards to withstand powerful earthquakes.