Major quake in southern Japan knocks out power, disrupts transport

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, knocking out power to thousands of homes, snarling travel and triggering evacuation orders and warnings for aftershocks. Speaking to reporters at her office in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the extent of casualties and property damage was being assessed. “We have already been informed that people have been injured,” Takaichi said.