Japan earthquake: 38 dead after 7.1 magnitude tremor hits Kumamoto

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, has resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Official reports indicate the death toll has reached 38 people, including seven victims confirmed at the AEON Mall Kumamoto following the collapse of walls and ceilings.

In the aftermath, dozens of injuries have been reported across Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Ibaraki prefectures. Many injuries were caused by falls or being struck by furniture while residents were sleeping. The earthquake also disrupted major transportation networks, causing delays on Keisei and Tobu Railway lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Utility services were affected, with TEPCO Power Grid reporting power outages for approximately 460 households in Tokyo, though power was quickly restored. While water pipes were damaged in Tokyo's Koto district, authorities worked to repair the leaks. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at the more than 10 nuclear power plants or nuclear material processing facilities in the region. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has directed officials to assess the full extent of the damage and ensure timely public information updates.