Kumamoto earthquake confirmed at 7.1 magnitude by official monitoring
The 7.1 magnitude Kumamoto earthquake has been officially confirmed through seismic monitoring.
Event / Disaster
Japan Earthquake July 2026
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, causing extensive damage including destroyed buildings, damaged infrastructure, fires, and widespread power and water outages. At least 28 deaths confirmed with additional casualties reported.
7 reported locations
Daily activity
1 articles0 articles
2026-08-08 to 2026-11-05 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Jul, 11:18 UTC
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What happened
Nippon Paper factory chimney collapses, 11 workers trapped
A chimney at Nippon Paper Industries Co.'s Yatsushiro factory collapsed during the earthquake, with the building severely damaged. Eleven workers were trapped under debris; two were found without vital signs and nine others had unknown conditions.
Kumamoto Castle damaged, repair efforts ongoing
Stone walls were damaged at Kumamoto Castle, a main tourist destination that was significantly damaged in the 2016 earthquake and was still undergoing repairs. The castle sustained additional damage from the July 28 earthquake.
Multiple deaths reported, rescue operations ongoing
Local news outlets cited police reports indicating several deaths or presumed deaths. Two workers at the Nippon Paper factory were found without vital signs. The Japanese Defense Ministry deployed military aircraft to the area, and hundreds of soldiers engaged in rescue operations.
Tsunami warning issued and lifted within two hours
A tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas on the western coasts of Kumamoto Prefecture and three neighboring prefectures following the earthquake. The advisory was lifted within two hours of being issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
More than 260,000 people evacuated in Kyushu
More than 260,000 people were advised to evacuate following the earthquake, with the majority in Kumamoto Prefecture and additional evacuations in neighboring Nagasaki Prefecture. Residents were sent to evacuation centers as authorities managed the emergency response.
No abnormalities found at three nuclear power plants
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no abnormalities at three nuclear power plants near the earthquake epicenter, and no irregularities were reported at nuclear stations in the affected area.
Power outages affect 40,000 homes in Kyushu
Kyushu Electric Power reported that approximately 40,000 homes lost power as a result of the earthquake. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned residents about dangers from power outages, including the risk of heat stroke.
Aeon Mall shopping center collapses in Kashima Town
Part of the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture collapsed during the earthquake, trapping an unknown number of people. The collapse reportedly followed an explosion believed to be triggered by a gas leak in the building. Four people were pulled out with injuries, and 10 others were initially unaccounted for.
7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Kyushu, Japan
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern main island of Kyushu on July 28, 2026, causing widespread damage across the region. The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings and numerous aftershocks. The affected area is approximately 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo.
Rail and air services suspended in Kyushu
Shinkansen bullet trains and local trains in Kyushu were suspended for safety checks. The runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport was closed with no prospect of resuming operations in the near term. A train derailed and fell on its side at Yatsushiro station.
Sony and TSMC facilities in affected area
Sony and TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, operate plants in the Kumamoto area affected by the earthquake. Sony announced it was checking the situation; TSMC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Toyota suspends operations at three Kyushu factories
Toyota Motor Corp. suspended operations at three of its factories in Kyushu due to safety issues. The company reported no injuries or damage at the plants and stated facilities would reopen on July 29. Honda Motor Co. and Yamato Transport Co. also suspended operations in the region.
At least 40 people injured, dozens more hospitalized
At least 40 people were injured in the earthquake. Approximately 90 additional people were taken to hospitals in Yatsushiro and Kumamoto city, though their conditions were unknown at the time of reporting.
No immediate anomalies detected at Japanese nuclear facilities
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no immediate anomalies at nuclear power plants in the region following the earthquake. Kyushu Electric Power confirmed that three active nuclear reactors in the region continued operating normally.
Previous 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan in June
On June 25, 2026, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan, causing no deaths or significant damage.
Tsunami alert issued following Japan earthquake
A tsunami alert was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency following the 7.1 magnitude earthquake. The JMA warned that tsunami waves could reach up to one meter in height and arrive around 17:00 JST (08:00 UTC). Public broadcaster NHK reported that waves of this magnitude may have already been observed.
7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes southwestern Japan
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 16:27 JST (07:27 UTC), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The earthquake reached the maximum intensity level (7) on Japan's seismic intensity scale (shindo), which measures how strongly earthquakes are felt. The earthquake occurred on the island of Kyushu.
Japan experiences frequent seismic activity annually
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, situated at the junction of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The archipelago, with approximately 125 million inhabitants, experiences several hundred earthquakes annually and accounts for approximately 18% of all recorded earthquakes globally. Most are of low intensity, though damage varies depending on location and depth.
7.7 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan in April with injuries reported
On April 20, 2026, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan, causing at least ten injuries and shaking major buildings in Tokyo. Authorities issued a special advisory warning of an increased risk of earthquakes with magnitude 8.0 or greater. This advisory was lifted one week later.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Kumamoto's seismic history: A decade of recurring devastation
Kumamoto's seismic history reflects Japan's ongoing vulnerability to frequent, significant earthquakes.
Death toll climbs to 28 as infrastructure damage spreads across Kumamoto
Death toll reaches 28; industrial disasters kill five, four missing; 31,200 without power.
Kumamoto shelters hold 9,000 as nuclear facilities remain stable
Kumamoto shelters 9,000 evacuees; nuclear facilities report no safety issues.
Industrial facilities report casualties and missing workers after earthquake
Nine missing at Nippon Paper factory; commercial building explosion in Kashima.
13 dead as Kumamoto earthquake triggers major relief deployment
Kumamoto earthquake kills 13; Japan mobilizes 3,600 military personnel for relief.
Kyushu faces mass evacuation as power and transport collapse
Mass evacuations and infrastructure collapse in Kyushu complicate earthquake response efforts.
Shopping center collapse and factory collapse leave dozens injured
Shopping center and factory chimney collapsed; 40+ injured, 11 trapped, deaths reported.
Japan's seismic pattern reveals recurring earthquake activity across regions
Japan's recent earthquakes demonstrate recurring regional seismic activity across multiple zones.
7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southwestern Japan, Tsunami Alert Issued
7.1 magnitude earthquake in Japan triggers tsunami alert; nuclear facilities unaffected.