A powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan on July 28, 2025, at 4:27 pm local time. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially reported a magnitude 7.1 tremor, while the US Geological Survey (USGS) later revised its measurement to 6.8. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter about 5 km east of Uto in Kumamoto Prefecture, according to JMA data.
The earthquake registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7 on Japan's Shindo scale in the towns of Uki and Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture. At least 50 people were injured and taken to hospitals, according to public broadcaster NHK. Yatsushiro North Community Medical Center reported treating more than 40 injured individuals. One death was confirmed after a house collapsed in Kumamoto, although early reports had indicated no fatalities.
Twelve houses collapsed, trapping people in four of them. At the Aeon Mall in Kashima, the second floor collapsed, trapping many inside; an explosion was also reported at the mall. Some reports, including from TBS News, cited a 'considerable number' of deaths at the mall, though official figures have not been released.
Power outages affected between 45,000 and 48,000 households in Kumamoto Prefecture. A tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea but was later lifted. JMA officials stated the earthquake occurred inland and no tsunami activity had been observed.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also noted that power outages and fires were occurring in some areas, and that roads, bridges and buildings had been affected. She urged residents to 'remain vigilant for the possibility of another earthquake of similar magnitude.'
The JMA warned of strong aftershocks in the coming week, including those with a seismic intensity up to 7. Approximately 150,000 people were ordered to evacuate across Kyushu prefectures, though evacuation numbers varied among reports.
Infrastructure disruptions included the closure of Kumamoto Airport's runway and the suspension of Shinkansen bullet trains and local rail services in Kyushu. No abnormalities were detected at the Sendai and Genkai nuclear power plants. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) evacuated its factory in Kumamoto.