The death toll from Japan's 6.8-magnitude earthquake has climbed to 13, prime minister Sanae Takaichi said, as rescuers race to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Takaichi said it is a “race against time” as many people are still awaiting rescue, with Japan Defence Forces and police leading the search and rescue operation.
One of the worst-hit sites was an Aeon shopping mall in Kumamoto, where rescuers pulled eight people from the rubble after part of the building collapsed.
Two women in their 20s were killed when an explosion of unknown origin tore through the mall about an hour after the earthquake. Authorities are investigating whether a gas leak triggered the blast.
Elsewhere, seven people are missing after a chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory.
Hospitals across the region are treating dozens of injured people, with some facilities struggling to cope after power outages disrupted operations.
The earthquake knocked out electricity to more than 36,000 homes, damaged roads and highways, and prompted authorities to order around 260,000 people to evacuate to emergency shelters. Officials have also warned residents to prepare for strong aftershocks over the coming week and the risk of landslides.
Read MoreMultiple deaths in explosion at shopping centre after 6.8 earthquake hits Japan
Death toll rises to 13 as rescuers search for the missing after Japan earthquake
Key Points
- At least 13 people dead in earthquake as search continues for missing
- Two women dead following Aeon Mall explosion
- At least 200 being treated for injuries after earthquake
- Many people trapped in Kumamoto mall after explosion - report
- Sanae Takaichi says people’s lives are top priority
- No risk of tsunami beyond Japan, US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says
Latest pictures from Japan show extent of damage
04:38 , Shweta Sharma
Many remain missing at workplaces
04:27 , Shweta SharmaAs the full extent of the damage from the earthquake continues to emerge, many people remain unaccounted for in companies and factories.
Around 20 to 30 workers remain missing at the damaged Aeon shopping mall as emergency crews continue searching areas where calls for help were received.
Rescuers pulled eight people from the rubble of the partially collapsed shopping mall early today.
Seven people are also missing after a chimney collapsed at a Nippon Paper Industries factory, while four others are seriously injured, a local government official said.
At least 13 people dead in earthquake as search continues for missing
03:52 , Shweta SharmaJapan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi said 13 people have died after a powerful earthquake and subsequent tremors rocked the Kyushu region.
Kyodo News said a hospital in the city of Yatsushiro took in about 40 people with injuries and about 50 others were taken to a hospital in Kumamoto city.
"There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it's a race against time," Takaichi said. "We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can."
Takaichi offered her condolences to the victims and sympathy to their relatives, while urging those affected by the quake to take care of themselves under the hot weather.
Japanese mall explosion caught on car dashcam
03:00 , Harriette BoucherICYMI: Around 3,600 military personnel dispatched to Kumamoto
02:00 , Harriette BoucherAround 3,600 military personnel were sent to Kumamoto yesterday to help emergency service efforts, which continued through the night.
It comes as workers urgently try to rescue the dozens of people who thought to be trapped in the Aeon Mall shopping centre in Kashima Town.
Prime minister Sanae Takaichi said: “The government will work tirelessly through the night to swiftly assess the overall damage situation and carry out emergency disaster response measures, starting with the rescue and lifesaving of those affected.
“At the same time, we will ensure the reliable delivery of essential supplies such as food and water, as well as simple air conditioners and power vehicles for heatstroke prevention, utilising push-type support where appropriate, and strive to secure a safe and suitable evacuation environment.”
Where a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Japan
01:00 , Harriette BoucherIs it safe to travel to Japan? Latest advice after deadly earthquake disrupts flights and trains
Wednesday 29 July 2026 00:00 , Harriette BoucherAs of Tuesday afternoon, the FCDO has warned travellers: “A large earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on 28 July 2026. There are reports of disruption to air and rail services.
“Train lines in Kyushu have been suspended and flights to and from Kumamoto airport have been disrupted. Earthquake aftershocks may also continue.”
General FCDO safety advice for Japan warns that the country sits “in a major earthquake zone”.
Travellers are told to “take note of instructions in hotel rooms and at train stations and follow the advice of local authorities” in the event of a disaster.
Earthquake, tsunami and aftershock warnings can be monitored on the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
Per FlightRadar24, hundreds of flights to and from Japan are currently delayed following the earthquake, including at Kumamoto airport and Fukuoka airport on the island of Kyushu.
Is it safe to travel to Japan? Latest advice after deadly earthquake disrupts flights
In pictures: 6.8 quake devastates parts of Kumamoto
Tuesday 28 July 2026 23:00 , Harriette Boucher
Two women dead following Aeon Mall explosion
Tuesday 28 July 2026 22:28 , Harriette BoucherThe explosion at Aeon shopping centre has killed at least two people, according to local media.
Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that two women in their 20s died, while five others were injured in the disaster.
This follows an earlier report from Kumamoto City's Disaster Management Division, which said that 10 people were missing.
Kumamoto residents urged to avoid tap water
Tuesday 28 July 2026 22:07 , Harriette BoucherResidents of Kumamoto has been told not to drink the tap water.
The government said cloudy water had been seen in parts of the city and it was inspecting water supply facilities.
Electricity was cut to about 48,300 households in Kumamoto Prefecture following the powerful earthquake, according to Kyushu Electric Power.
A history of Japan's largest quakes
Tuesday 28 July 2026 22:00 , Harriette BoucherJapan was rocked by a powerful 6.8 earthquake today, which is thought to have killed several people.
Residents in Kumamoto said the shake reminded them of the 2016 disaster that left 278 people dead across the prefecture and surrounding areas.
Around 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater take place in Japan and up to 2,000 quakes are felt by people each year.
These are some of the largest earthquakes that have struck Japan in the last 15 years:
- On March 16, 2022, a magnitude-7.4 earthquake jolted the coast off Fukushima again, leaving three dead, more than 200 injured and reviving memories of the quake and tsunami that crippled the Pacific coast region just over a decade earlier.
- On February 13, 2021, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Fukushima in eastern Japan, injuring dozens of people and triggering widespread power outages in Greater Tokyo.
- On September 6, 2018, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake paralysed Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, killing more than 40 people, triggering landslides and knocking out power to its 5.3 million residents.
- On June 18, 2018, a magnitude-6.1 earthquake in Osaka, Japan's second-biggest metropolis, killed four people, injured hundreds more and halted factory lines in an industrial area.
- On April 16, 2016, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, the scene of Tuesday's temblor, killing more than 270 people, including some caught in landslides and heavy rain in the aftermath.
- On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck northeast Japan, killing nearly 20,000 people and causing a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, leading to the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
Aeon Mall mall explosion thought to be triggered by gas leak
Tuesday 28 July 2026 21:42 , Harriette BoucherThe explosion at Aeon Mall shopping centre is believed to have been triggered by a gas leak at the building, according to Japan's NHK national television.
Tuesday’s earthquake collapsed the second floor of the Aeon Mall shopping centre and has trapped an unknown number of people there.
Emergency services have pulled four people out with injuries, while 10 others were unaccounted for, the Kumamoto prefectural emergency response team said.
It said the extent of the damage was still being investigated as the search and rescue effort continued.
At least 200 being treated for injuries after earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 21:23 , Harriette BoucherAt least 200 people are receiving treatment for injuries following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked southwestern Japan on Tuesday.
According to NHK, around 80 people were receiving treatment for injuries at Yatsushiro Northern Regional Medical Center in Hikawa, Kumamoto.
It reported that another 84 people were receiving treatment at a hospital in Kumamoto city.
Uki General Hospital in Uki City has admitted 40 injured people, the broadcaster said.
Another 10 people were also reportedly injured at a nursing home in Kumamoto.
Watch: Moment 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Japan
Tuesday 28 July 2026 21:15 , Harriette BoucherMore than 60 aftershocks since 6.8 quake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 20:30 , Harriette BoucherThere have been more than 60 aftershocks in Japan ranging from magnitude 1 to 4 on Tuesday, according to the country’s meteorological agency.
In Japan’s own seismic intensity scale, these aftershocks have ranged from 1 to 6.
The agency says a magnitude intensity of 1 means a slight shaking is felt by people indoors, while a magnitude intensity of 7 means furniture that is not fixed in place will move, fall over and may even be thrown by the force of the earthquake.
Around 3,600 military personnel dispatched to Kumamoto
Tuesday 28 July 2026 19:45 , Harriette BoucherAround 3,600 military personnel have been sent to Kumamoto to help emergency service efforts, which will continue through the night.
It comes as workers urgently try to rescue the dozens of people who are feared trapped in the Aeon Mall shopping centre in Kashima Town.
Prime minister Sanae Takaichi said: “The government will work tirelessly through the night to swiftly assess the overall damage situation and carry out emergency disaster response measures, starting with the rescue and lifesaving of those affected.
“At the same time, we will ensure the reliable delivery of essential supplies such as food and water, as well as simple air conditioners and power vehicles for heatstroke prevention, utilising push-type support where appropriate, and strive to secure a safe and suitable evacuation environment.”
Emergency service workers continue search through night as dozens feared trapped in shopping mall
Tuesday 28 July 2026 19:00 , Harriette Boucher
Shopping mall destroyed in quake had just reopened for 'fresh start'
Tuesday 28 July 2026 18:15 , Harriette BoucherThe Aeon shopping mall, where dozens are currently thought to be trapped, had only just reopened last month as a new and improved centre.
It was forced to close for several months in Kumamoto’s deadly 2016 earthquake after suffering severe damage.
Following further reconstruction, it opened on 13 June as an improved shopping and entertainment complex to commemorate its recovery from the deadly tremor a decade ago.
The mall was again destroyed in Tuesday’s 6.8 earthquake.
Its reopening was meant to be a fresh start for Aeon Kumamoto, which said last month: “As we mark both the 21st year since opening and the 10th anniversary of the region's recovery (from the 2016 earthquake), we are undertaking a major renewal of the shopping centre.
“Through this 're-start' initiative, we will embark on a new stage of growth and strive to become a shopping centre that brings enjoyment to customers throughout the region.”
Dashcam footage shows moment of explosion at shopping mall
Tuesday 28 July 2026 17:35 , Harriette BoucherWatch: Aerial footage reveals destruction after 6.8-magnitude tremor
Tuesday 28 July 2026 17:12 , Harriette BoucherJapanese PM likens quake to 2016 disaster
Tuesday 28 July 2026 16:57 , Harriette BoucherJapan’s prime minister has said said today’s earthquake in Kumamoto was a repeat of the disaster that shook the town in 2016.
“Today, the ‘2016 Kumamoto Earthquake’ has occurred, and human casualties, building collapses, road damage, fires, and other damages have been confirmed so far,” Sanae Takaichi wrote on X.
She said her government would work “tirelessly” overnight to assess the full scale of the damage and carry out emergency response efforts.
Earthquake causes chimney to collapse at paper mill
Tuesday 28 July 2026 16:32 , Harriette BoucherA history of Japan's largest quakes
Tuesday 28 July 2026 16:11 , Harriette BoucherJapan was rocked by a powerful 6.8 earthquake today, which is thought to have killed several people.
Residents in Kumamoto said the shake reminded them of the 2016 disaster that left 278 people dead across the prefecture and surrounding areas.
Around 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater take place in Japan and up to 2,000 quakes are felt by people each year.
These are some of the largest earthquakes that have struck Japan in the last 15 years:
- On March 16, 2022, a magnitude-7.4 earthquake jolted the coast off Fukushima again, leaving three dead, more than 200 injured and reviving memories of the quake and tsunami that crippled the Pacific coast region just over a decade earlier.
- On February 13, 2021, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Fukushima in eastern Japan, injuring dozens of people and triggering widespread power outages in Greater Tokyo.
- On September 6, 2018, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake paralysed Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, killing more than 40 people, triggering landslides and knocking out power to its 5.3 million residents.
- On June 18, 2018, a magnitude-6.1 earthquake in Osaka, Japan's second-biggest metropolis, killed four people, injured hundreds more and halted factory lines in an industrial area.
- On April 16, 2016, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, the scene of Tuesday's temblor, killing more than 270 people, including some caught in landslides and heavy rain in the aftermath.
- On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck northeast Japan, killing nearly 20,000 people and causing a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, leading to the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
Mapped: Series of tremors rattler southwestern Japan hit
Tuesday 28 July 2026 15:52 , Harriette Boucher
Around 300,000 told to evacuate amid aftershocks
Tuesday 28 July 2026 15:36 , Harriette BoucherSome 300,000 people have been told to go to evacuation centres today as aftershocks continued on Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu.
Hundreds of soldiers were deployed to help as rescue operations continue.
Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi said : “I ask everyone to take action to protect themselves, including evacuating to a safe location.”
Mall operator Aeon said customers and employees were evacuated right after the initial quake, while TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, Sony and Fujifilm evacuated workers from their plants following the quake.
Pictures show damage following Japan's 6.8 earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 15:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Around 20 to 30 mall workers unaccounted for, local media says
Tuesday 28 July 2026 14:26 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAround 20 to 30 workers at the prefecture's largest shopping mall were unaccounted for after it was rocked by an explosion in the aftermath of the quake, broadcaster NHK said.
Fire services earlier said multiple people were trapped inside, while police said "quite a few" were presumed dead in the incident, broadcaster TBS reported.
One side of the mall, which houses around 200 stores, was torn away, exposing steel beams and strewing debris across a vast parking lot, footage showed.
Several ambulances and fire engines were parked outside, as rescue teams searched for survivors.
Second floor of shopping mall in Kashima Town collapsed
Tuesday 28 July 2026 14:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe second floor at the Aeon Mall shopping center in Kashima Town collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people.
Rescue operations were being carried out, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said without giving further details.
No tsunami detected following powerful earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 13:37 , Maryam Zakir-HussainFollowing the powerful earthquake, a tsunami advisory was temporarily issued but was lifted within two hours, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The agency said the tsunami advisory covered the nearby Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas on the western coasts of Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures about 900 kilometers (560 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
Train derails and castle walls crumble following earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 13:25 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA hospital in Yatsushiro city accepted about 40 people with injuries from the quake, Kyodo News agency said.
A train was derailed and fell on its side at the Yatsushiro station, and stone walls were damaged at the Kumamoto castle, Kyodo said.
Yozo Kai, a priest at a Shinto shrine in the nearby town of Mashiki, said a few stone lanterns fell down. “I worried if the main hall and the gate would tilt again,” he told Kyodo.
“The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened,” said Hiroki Shimoda, an official at the Mifune town hall, who saw rooftiles of nearby homes crash down to the ground.
Multiple people confirmed dead in shopping centre explosion in Kashima
Tuesday 28 July 2026 12:43 , Adam WithnallMultiple people are confirmed dead as a result of the shopping centre explosion in Kashima town, according to Fuji TV.
Witnesses say the explosion occurred shortly after the earthquake struck Kumamoto province, though its cause is yet to be established.
Fire officials say part of the second floor of the building collapsed due to the explosion, trapping many people inside.
Quake reminds residents of 2016 earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 12:28 , Shweta SharmaResidents in Kumamoto said the earthquake reminded them of the 2016 disaster that left 278 people dead across the prefecture and surrounding areas.
Yozo Kai, a priest at a Shinto shrine in the nearby town of Mashiki, said he saw a few stone lanterns fall down.
"I worried if the main hall and the gate would tilt again," he told Kyodo.
Hiroki Shimoda, an official at the Mifune town hall, who saw rooftiles of nearby homes crash down to the ground, said: "The shaking reminded me of the Kumamoto quake (10 years ago) and I was frightened."
'Quite a few' feared dead after Japan mall explosion
Tuesday 28 July 2026 12:17 , Shweta SharmaPolice in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture said there are "quite a few" presumed dead following an explosion at an Aeon shopping mall that occurred after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake, broadcaster TBS reported.
Emergency crews are continuing search and rescue operations at the site, where multiple people were reported trapped after part of the building collapsed.
Authorities have not yet released an official death toll or reason for the explosion.
Aftershock jolts Kumamoto
Tuesday 28 July 2026 12:13 , Shweta SharmaA magnitude 4.2 aftershock was reported in Kumamoto around 7pm, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Eyewitness recounts huge explosion at mall
Tuesday 28 July 2026 12:08 , Shweta Sharma"It was a huge impact," eyewitness Kazuya Tsurunaga said after an explosion ripped through an Aeon shopping mall in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture following a powerful earthquake, trapping multiple people inside.
Tsurunaga, who was cleaning up dishes broken by the quake inside a pub about 300 metres from the mall, told broadcaster TBS he saw a massive cloud of smoke rise into the air.
"It was a huge impact," he said. "A large cloud of smoke billowed up, and because the wind happened to be blowing and the wind direction was towards the shop, the area around us was in a state like volcanic ash was falling."
Emergency services said several people were trapped after the explosion at the Aeon shopping mall.
An Aeon spokesperson said customers and employees had been evacuated immediately after the initial earthquake and that the cause of the subsequent explosion remained unclear.
Many people trapped in Kumamoto mall after explosion - report
Tuesday 28 July 2026 11:41 , Shweta SharmaAn explosion has been reported at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town.
The company said customers have been evacuated and it is still assessing the situation.
A part of the second floor of the building collapsed after the explosion, trapping many people inside, fire officials said.
Broadcaster NHK’s helicopter recorded parts of the shopping centre's exterior walls damaged, exposing the interiors.
Aerial footage shows damage to major expressway during earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 11:22 , Shweta SharmaAerial footage broadcast by NHK shows extensive damage to the Kyushu Expressway after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck.
Several bridge sections appear to have shifted and separated at expansion joints.
The earthquake has caused significant damage to buildings and roads and also sparked fires.
Aerial footage from an NHK news broadcast shows severe damage to the Kyushu Expressway, where bridge sections appear to have shifted and separated at the expansion joints following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan.
At least 50 people have been injured. pic.twitter.com/Tq3ADfOcR1
Seven fires have broken out in earthquake-hit region
Tuesday 28 July 2026 11:14 , Shweta SharmaJapan’s disaster management agency has said that at least seven fires have broken out in Kumamoto Prefecture as of 6pm local time.
Most were in Kumamoto City, it said.
At least 50 people being treated in a town in Kumamoto
Tuesday 28 July 2026 11:07 , Shweta SharmaA hospital in the town of Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture was treating at least 50 people injured in the earthquake, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Pictures show damage caused by earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 11:01 , Shweta Sharma
Tsunami warning lifted as authorities assess damage
Tuesday 28 July 2026 10:43 , Shweta SharmaThe tsunami warning issued after a powerful earthquake has been lifted.
Emergency officials are continuing to assess the extent of the damage in areas near the epicentre, where buildings collapsed, fires broke out and several people were reported injured.
JMA asks people to remain alert for week
Tuesday 28 July 2026 10:39 , Shweta SharmaThe Japan Meteorological Agency has asked people to remain on alert for the next week as potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 – the maximum on Japan's own scale – could follow,
"Please pay full attention to possible future earthquakes and rain, and stay away from dangerous places,” it said in a press conference.
"Also, for the next week or so, especially during the next two to three days, we would like people to watch out for potential earthquakes with a maximum seismic intensity of 7."
Several reported to be injured near epicentre, PM says
Tuesday 28 July 2026 10:28 , Shweta SharmaSeveral people have been reported injured near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
Speaking to reporters at her office in Tokyo, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said they are receiving reports that some people have been injured, but the extent of casualties and property damage was being assessed.
"We have already been informed that people have been injured," Takaichi said.
The epicentre of the 7.1-magnitude quake was near Uto, a coastal city in Kumamoto Prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Buildings damaged and fires reported after quake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 10:22 , Shweta SharmaFootage broadcast by NHK showed several buildings collapsed near the epicentre of the powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The fire department in the city of Uki told the broadcaster it had received numerous emergency calls as multiple fires broke out across the city following the quake.
The fire department said it was assessing the situation.
Live: Japan struck by 7.1 magnitude earthquake as Tsunami warning issued
Tuesday 28 July 2026 10:15 , Shweta SharmaMore than 48,000 households lose power after powerful Japan earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 10:14 , Shweta SharmaElectricity was cut to about 48,300 households in Kumamoto Prefecture following the powerful earthquake, according to Kyushu Electric Power.
The utility urged residents not to touch downed or severed power lines and to report any damaged electrical equipment or other abnormalities as restoration efforts continue.
In pictures: Powerful earthquake rocks Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:58 , Shweta Sharma
Sanae Takaichi says people’s lives are top priority
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:52 , Shweta SharmaJapan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to avoid the coastline where a tsunami of up to 1 metre (3 feet) was predicted.
She said her government has set up a task force to gather information, assess possible damage and prepare for rescue operations if needed.
“We are putting people’s lives as the top priority,” Takaichi said.
She urged residents in areas that experienced the strongest shaking to continue exercising caution, given the possibility of powerful aftershocks.
Video shows violent shaking in Costco store
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:47 , Shweta SharmaA video circulating on social media appears to show chaotic scenes inside a Costco store in Kumamoto, Japan, as the earthquake happened.
Shelves can be seen emptied as products crash to the floor while shoppers scramble to safety amid the intense shaking.
Panicked shoppers, including kids, could be seen running for cover in the video while others crouched on the floor.
A viral video appears to show a frightening scene inside of a Costco in Kumamoto immediately after the earthquake. A lot of items have fallen from shelves as people are trying to get to safety.pic.twitter.com/W1dRVWNwlh https://t.co/IblWNrqTcj
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) July 28, 2026
Watch as Kumamoto Castle's wall collapses after earthquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:31 , Shweta SharmaStone walls at the historic Kumamoto Castle collapsed after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Japan.
The quake triggered tsunami alerts, disrupted rail services and prompted authorities to assess damage across the region.
Video purported to show a part of the wall collapsing into a waterbody at the Kumamoto Castle.
Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's most famous landmarks, was also heavily damaged during the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.
A few minutes ago: The stone walls of Kumamoto Castle collapsed following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake (地震 ) that struck 4 km southeast of Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. pic.twitter.com/PwXwldRmIr
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 28, 2026
Tsunami waves over 3ft could hit Japan, JMA says
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:26 , Shweta SharmaA tsunami warning for waves measuring up to 1m (3.28 feet) was issued after the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all on Japan's southern Kyushu island.
Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, with a tremor occurring at least every five minutes.
Located along the "Ring of Fire" of volcanoes and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin, Japan accounts for about 20 per cent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or more.
Mapped: Magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits Japan's Kyushu region
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:21 , Shweta SharmaThe quake hit Kumamoto Prefecture, located on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, about 900 km (560 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
High-speed trains halted after Japan quake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:14 , Shweta SharmaTrain operator JR Kyushu has suspended rail services, including its Kyushu Shinkansen bullet trains, following the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture.
Kyushu Electric Power said there were no reports of abnormalities at its Sendai and Genkai nuclear power plants after the quake.
No risk of tsunami beyond Japan, US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:10 , Shweta SharmaUS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has said there is no risk of a tsunami beyond Japan.
The quake occurred in the western region of Kumamoto, about 900km(540 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
No damage or injuries were immediately reported after the 4.29pm quake.
Kumamoto museum of arts shuts down after powerful eathquake
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:06 , Shweta SharmaThe Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art has announced it will remain closed on Wednesday following the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto City.
The museum said the closure is a precautionary safety measure and that it will provide further updates on reopening and future operations as more information becomes available.
Tsunami warning issued for Japan's Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:05 , Shweta SharmaA tsunami advisory has been issued for Japan's Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea following a powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Authorities are urging people in coastal areas to stay away from the shoreline and follow evacuation instructions if advised.
“The sea and areas near the coast are dangerous,” the disaster management authority said.
Immediate evacuation orders issued after tsunami alert
Tuesday 28 July 2026 08:59 , Shweta SharmaImmediate evacuation orders have been issued after a powerful earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, with authorities reporting a maximum seismic intensity of 7.1, according to the Disaster Management Division of Japan's Cabinet Office.
A tsunami advisory has been issued for Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas.
“The sea and areas near the coast are dangerous. Please immediately move away from the coast. Also, until the advisory is lifted, do not enter the sea or approach the coast,” it said.
Residents in affected areas are being urged to stay calm, follow instructions from national and local authorities, and rely on trusted sources such as television, radio, and official online updates for the latest information.
【津波注意報】28日16時29分、有明・八代海に津波注意報が発表されました。海の中や海岸付近は危険です。ただちに海岸から離れてください。また、注意報が解除されるまでは海に入ったり、海岸に近づいたりしないでください。
— 内閣府防災 (@CAO_BOUSAI) July 28, 2026
Breaking: Tsunami warning issued as 7.1-magnitude quake hits Japan
Tuesday 28 July 2026 08:54 , Shweta SharmaJapan has issued a tsunami warning after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto on the southern main island of Kyushu.
We’ll bring you more on this breaking news story here.
