Tokyo: A magnitude 6.9 earthquake followed by a 7.1 tremor struck off southern Japan on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said. Tsunamis of up to one meter were expected to arrive or have arrived in some coastal areas on the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, broadcaster NHK reported. The first quake occurred at a depth of 33 kilometers, followed by a second nearby at a depth of 25 kilometers, the USGS said. The Japanese government set up a special task force in response to the quake, according to a statement.