The southwestern region of Japan, specifically Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu, experienced a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake late Tuesday afternoon. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reported 13 fatalities and ongoing rescue operations for missing individuals as of Wednesday morning.
Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it’s a race against time.” Rescue teams, including Japan’s Self Defense Forces, have joined efforts at the site of significant destruction, notably a shopping mall where the second floor collapsed. Takaichi extended condolences to the victims’ families and encouraged those affected to prioritize their health amid the adverse weather conditions.
Government teams are mobilizing resources to deliver essential supplies such as food and water to the hardest-hit areas. In Kashima Town, the Aeon Mall suffered a collapse on its second floor, trapping several individuals, according to the Kumamoto fire department. Additionally, an explosion from a suspected gas leak is under investigation.
The Nippon Paper Industries Co.’s factory in Yatsushiro also suffered structural damage, with a collapsed chimney trapping people under the debris. As of Wednesday, seven individuals were feared trapped; rescue efforts managed to free two survivors and recover two bodies.
The area impacted by the quake is roughly 900 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Nearby nuclear power facilities reported no abnormalities. According to Kyodo News, a hospital in Yatsushiro city received about 40 injury cases, and an additional 50 were treated at a Kumamoto city hospital. The business sector on Kyushu saw temporary suspension of operations yet reported minimal damage, with plans to resume normal activities by Wednesday.
Infrastructure damage includes the closure of the runway at Aso Kumamoto Airport, disrupted train services after a derailment at Yatsushiro station, and structural damage to Kumamoto Castle—a vital cultural site still recovering from a previous 2016 earthquake. Hiroki Shimoda of Mifune town hall described the recent quake, echoing the fear that lingered from the 2016 disaster that resulted in at least 50 casualties.
The Japan Meteorological Agency spokesperson, Shinji Kiyomoto, advised residents to remain vigilant in anticipation of possible aftershocks in the next few days.