The Chinese embassy in Japan on Wednesday issued an advisory urging Chinese citizens in the country to remain vigilant against earthquake risks following a series of strong earthquakes in southwestern Japan.

In the advisory, the embassy said a magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at 4:27 p.m. local time on Tuesday, followed by more than 148 aftershocks within 12 hours, resulting in heavy casualties.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that strong earthquakes of similar magnitude could strike again within the next week.

The embassy advised Chinese citizens to make travel arrangements carefully, avoid visiting affected areas, raise awareness of self-protection and strengthen personal safety precautions.

It urged Chinese citizens to closely monitor seismic activity, weather alerts and disaster preparedness information, follow prevention and evacuation guidance issued by local authorities, remain vigilant against aftershocks and secondary disasters, and promptly report to the police and contact the Chinese embassy or consulates in Japan for assistance in case of emergencies.  

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara has given an update confirming that as of 6:30 a.m. Thursday, 28 people have died following the series of earthquakes in the Kyushu region, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK. That figure includes a number of deaths which are thought to be linked to the quakes.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed mourning for lives lost and sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured in the earthquake in a press briefing on Wednesday.  

Mao said that China is closely following the impact of the earthquake and stands ready to assist Chinese nationals whenever needed.

(With input from Xinhua)