A powerful earthquake has struck southern Japan, causing casualties and collapsed buildings.
According to Japan's Meteorological Agency, the quake hit at 9.26 pm and was centered seven miles east from the town of Mashiki in the Kumamoto prefecture.
Initial reports placed the quake at a magnitude 6.4, but this was later downgraded to 6.2 by the US Geological Survey.
A number of "strong" aftershocks have also been reported.
The Japanese Kyodo news agency reported that at least 40 people were seeking treatment at a hospitals in Kumamoto city, and one woman is in critical condition.
Others are feared trapped under fallen structures.
Around 20 houses have collapsed, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.
A fire also broke out in Mashiki, populated by around 34,000 people and local television showed footage of firefighters tackling a blaze at a building.
Officials said there is no danger of a tsunami and confirmed the region's nuclear facilities have not been adversely affected by the tremors. The plants remain in operation.
However, some gas and power outages were reported in areas close to the epicenter.
Images, not verified by The Independent, have been posted to social media apparently showing some of the damage:
Pictures of the fires, seemingly taken from Japanese television, have also been posted to Twitter:
"There was a ka-boom and the whole house violently shook sideways," said Takahiko Morita, a Mashiki resident.
"Furniture and bookshelves fell down, books were all over the floor."
Kasumi Nakamura, an official in the village of Nishihara close to the epicenter, said there was a rattling which started modestly and grew violent, lasting about 30 seconds.
"Papers, files, flower vases and everything fell on the floor," he said.
Other eyewitnesses reported seeing walls around houses collapsing and in the city of Uki, where the city hall reportedly suffered broken windows and fallen cabinets.
Footage on NHK TV showed a signboard hanging from the ceiling at its local bureau violently shaking.
Some train services have been suspended as officials attempt to gather information.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said soon after the earthquake: "We intend to do the utmost to grasp the situation. I'm now planning to hear what we have gathered on the situation."
The full extent of the damage is not currently known.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep.
