Japan Hit by 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake, Causing Widespread Damage

Southern Japan was struck by a major 7.1 magnitude earthquake on July 28, 2026, causing significant disruption and damage in the Kumamoto prefecture. The powerful seismic event ruptured major roads, suspended rail and air services, and left close to 50,000 homes without power. Japanese authorities are cautioning residents about the potential for strong aftershocks to persist for about a week.

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We have already been informed that people have been injured. Power outages and fires have occurred in some areas, and there has also been damage to roads and ​bridges and the collapse of buildings.

The earthquake's impact was immediate and severe. It triggered a tsunami warning for the prefecture, which was later lifted. Beyond infrastructure damage, the quake injured approximately 50 people. Reports indicated that numerous individuals were trapped in a shopping mall, and others found themselves stranded in their homes due to power outages. An explosion occurred near the Aeon shopping mall, though its cause remained unclear to officials at the time.

In response to the disaster, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the full extent of casualties and damage was still being assessed. She confirmed reports of injuries, power outages, fires, and damage to roads, bridges, and buildings. Takaichi urged the public to take protective measures, including evacuating to safe areas. Several major companies, including TSMC, Sony, and Fujifilm, evacuated workers from their plants in the affected region as a precautionary measure.

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I ask everyone to take action to protect themselves, including evacuating to a safe location.

Japan's disaster management agency directed around 300,000 people to move to evacuation centers. Residents were advised to be vigilant against further strong quakes and potential landslides. Power disruptions affected 48,000 homes, and mobile phone services experienced disruptions. The city's main castle, a popular tourist attraction, also sustained damage, with parts of its walls collapsing. The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 20 kilometers south of Kumamoto, the largest city on Kyushu island.

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A large cloud of smoke billowed up – the area around us was in a state like volcanic ash was falling.