Kumamoto Prefecture struck by Shindo 7 earthquake

On 28 July 2026 a powerful earthquake with a maximum Shindo of 7 hit Kumamoto Prefecture, causing widespread devastation. The disaster left at least 34 people dead, more than 100 houses completely destroyed, over 3 000 homes without electricity and around 15 000 without water. In the town of Hikawa, 181 residents were evacuated while farmers struggled to protect their crops, highlighting the difficulty of wide‑area evacuation for agricultural communities.

Prime Minister Sae Taketsu convened an emergency disaster‑response headquarters, ordering rapid rescue operations, distribution of food, water and portable cooling units, and deployment of power‑truck support. Her appearance at a press briefing wearing a pearl necklace attracted criticism for perceived lack of appropriate attire during a national crisis.

The Soto Zen sect also set up its own disaster‑relief office to assess damage to temples and assist followers. A separate, smaller tremor of magnitude 3.4 (Shindo 2) was recorded on 30 July in Kumamoto’s Amakusa‑Ashikita area, felt in neighboring Miyazaki, with no tsunami threat.

Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks and coordinate reconstruction efforts across the region.