Tsunami waves hit Japan's remote islands following offshore quake

Small tsunami waves hit Japan's Izu and Ogasawara island chains early Tuesday after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck offshore, possibly linked to volcanic activity.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami advisory, warning of waves up to 1 meter high, but lifted it three hours later. No injuries or damage were reported.

The quake, centred about 180 kilometers south of Hachijo Island, was not felt by residents. However, waves up to 50 centimetres were observed in Hachijo's Yaene district, with smaller waves reported on Kozushima, Miyakejima, and Izu Oshima.

Television footage showed minor waves splashing against wharfs, with no visible signs of a significant tsunami swell. Local residents, including Ryuji Minemoto from Hachijo Island, said they did not feel the quake but were alerted by the tsunami advisory.

Seismologist Fumihiko Imamura from Tohoku University suggested the tsunami may have been caused by undersea volcanic activity, which can cause subtle seabed shifts without typical quake tremors.

Japan, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is highly prone to earthquakes and tsunamis, making preparedness critical for its coastal communities.