Massive 7.1 Quake Rocks Japan; TSMC Factory Evacuated

A significant 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southwestern Kyushu island recently, causing substantial damage and injuring at least 50 people. The tremor, registering a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic scale, led to collapsed buildings, damaged roads, fires, and power outages. The epicenter was located near Uto, south of Kumamoto city, where severe shaking was reported. An explosion occurred at a shopping mall, with concerns that people might be trapped. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, a major chipmaker, evacuated its Kumamoto factory. The Japanese Meteorological Agency advised preparedness for further powerful quakes in the next few days, though an earlier tsunami advisory was rescinded. The shallow depth of the quake contributed to intense ground motion.