# Kumamoto earthquake relief efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kumamoto-earthquake-relief-efforts
> Updated: 2026-08-10T02:54:30.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, relief and transportation efforts have been mobilized to address infrastructure damage. 

To mitigate disruptions caused by the suspension of the Kyushu Shinkansen and damaged roads, Japan Airlines (JAL) implemented emergency flight operations. Between August 9 and August 19, the airline scheduled 80 additional flights between Fukuoka and Kagoshima, alongside temporary routes connecting Haneda to Kumamoto and Fukuoka to Miyazaki.

In addition to domestic transport measures, U.S. Forces Japan provided humanitarian aid by airlifting approximately 16 tons of drinking water. Using KC-130 transport aircraft, the military moved roughly 33,000 bottles of water from Yokota Air Base to Mashiki. U.S. Ambassador George Glass inspected the handover, noting the response was made at the request of “our closest friend and ally.”

## Timeline

### 2026-08-10: U.S. military airlifts water to Kumamoto earthquake victims

U.S. Forces Japan airlifted 16 tons of drinking water to Kumamoto Prefecture to aid victims of the July 28 earthquake, reinforcing the strategic disaster-relief partnership between the U.S. and Japan.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-military-airlifts-water-to-kumamoto-earthquake-victims

### 2026-08-09: Japan Airlines deploys emergency flights following Kumamoto earthquake

Japan Airlines is operating emergency flights, including 80 additional services between Fukuoka and Kagoshima, to compensate for transportation disruptions caused by the Kumamoto earthquake.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-airlines-deploys-emergency-flights-following-kumamoto-earthquake

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Cite as: Kumamoto earthquake relief efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kumamoto-earthquake-relief-efforts