A Japan Earthquake measuring magnitude 7.1 struck the Kumamoto region near Kyushu at about 16:27 JST (15:27 Beijing time) on July 28, 2026, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The quake had a hypocenter depth of 10 km, while the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) later reported a magnitude 6.8 event near Kyushu (32.65°N, 130.75°E) at 15:27 on July 28 with a focal depth of 10 km. The Ministry of Natural Resources Tsunami Warning Center reported preliminary coordinates of 32.68°N, 130.80°E with a 15 km focal depth and said definitive parameters would be provided later by CENC.
The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded a maximum Shindo 7, the highest level on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, following the Japan Earthquake. Earlier, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) had said Kumamoto Prefecture could reach a maximum seismic intensity of 7. NHK reported that Japanese authorities issued a 1-metre tsunami warning after the earthquake, while the JMA also issued tsunami warnings for affected coastal areas.
Japan Earthquake: Tsunami Warnings and Widespread Disruptions
Following the Japan Earthquake, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said Hawaii and American Samoa were not under a tsunami threat. The Ministry of Natural Resources Tsunami Warning Center said a localized tsunami may occur near the epicentre, but it is not expected to cause a destructive impact on China’s coastline.
The earthquake disrupted transport and power services across Kyushu. JR Kyushu said all local rail services and the Kyushu Shinkansen were suspended after the magnitude-7.1 earthquake. Kyushu Electric Power Co. said the quake cut power to about 40,000 households. Separately, Kyodo reported that TSMC evacuated employees from its Kumamoto plant following the earthquake.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said inspections found no abnormalities at the Ikata, Genkai and Sendai nuclear power plants after the earthquake. Earlier, Kyushu Electric Power Co. had said it was assessing the impact on its nuclear facilities before confirming that inspections found no abnormalities at the Sendai and Genkai nuclear power plants.
The situation remained active as monitoring continued. NIED later reported that another strong earthquake struck southern Kumamoto. Updates from the Japan Meteorological Agency, NIED, China Earthquake Networks Center, Ministry of Natural Resources Tsunami Warning Center, U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, NHK, JR Kyushu, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Kyodo, and Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed the earthquake, tsunami precautions, transport suspensions, power outages affecting around 40,000 households, the evacuation at TSMC’s Kumamoto plant, and no abnormalities at the inspected nuclear power plants.
Update: Aftershocks and Safety Checks Continue
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at about 17:08 local time after the initial M7.1 quake, registering a maximum JMA seismic intensity of 5-lower with an extremely shallow focal depth. NIED also reported another strong earthquake in southern Kumamoto, while multiple aftershocks of around magnitude 4 were recorded within 20 minutes. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary said authorities were confirming whether there were any casualties, and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said there were no reports of damage to critical infrastructure.
The JMA later said no tsunami had been detected and would soon lift the tsunami warning, after earlier issuing a 1-metre tsunami advisory for coastal areas. Kumamoto Airport closed its runway, JR Kyushu suspended all local rail services and the Kyushu Shinkansen, and Kyodo reported that TSMC evacuated employees from its Kumamoto plant. Television footage showed strong shaking in Kumamoto, while Xinhua’s Seoul correspondent reported tremors were felt in Busan, prompting some residents to evacuate.
