Strong earthquakes hits Japan 2007/4 3 minutes ago TOKYO - A strong earthquake struck near islands in southwestern Japan Friday, prompting authorities to warn that the area could be hit by a small tsunami. The Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory after the second and larger quake, saying that islands in the area could be hit by waves as high 18 inches. People living on the island were being warned to stay away from the coast. Miyakojima is about 1,130 miles southwest of Tokyo. Japan is one of the world‘s most earthquake-prone countries.