Magnitude 7 earthquake hits Japan's Kumamoto region, tsunami advisory issued
Kumamoto, July 28
An earthquake struck Japan on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami advisory for parts of Kumamoto Prefecture after the quake registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7 in the Kumamoto region, authorities said.
Japan's Cabinet Office Disaster Management Division said the earthquake registered the highest seismic intensity of 7 in the Kumamoto region and urged residents to remain calm while following information issued by national and local authorities.
The Cabinet Office said in a post on X, "An earthquake occurred in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture, registering a maximum seismic intensity of 7. Residents in areas where the shaking was strong, in addition to information from the national government and local authorities, please check reliable sources such as television, radio, and the internet, and act calmly."
Japan's Cabinet Office also issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea following the earthquake.
"[Tsunami Advisory] 16:29 JST on 28 Jul 2026, A tsunami advisory has been issued for Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea. Leave coastal areas immediately and stay away until the advisory is lifted," it said.
According to National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at 12:57:22 IST with its epicentre located at latitude 32.643°N and longitude 130.985°E at a depth of 70 kilometres.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 6.5, On: 28/07/2026 12:57:22 IST, Lat: 32.643 N, Long: 130.985 E, Depth: 70 Km, Location: Japan."
According to The Japan Times, a strong 6 on the Shindo scale was observed in the cities of Yatsushiro, Uto and the towns of Mashiki and Misato, as well as the city of Kumamoto's Minami Ward.
Electricity supply was disrupted to about 45,600 households in Kumamoto Prefecture following the quake, according to Kyushu Electric.
The earthquake struck just over a decade after the devastating April 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which killed 278 people and injured around 2,800 others. The disaster caused extensive damage across the prefecture, including severe structural damage to the historic Kumamoto Castle, where restoration work is expected to continue until 2052.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The recall of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes is heartbreaking. 278 lives lost and Kumamoto Castle still under restoration until 2052—that shows how even the most advanced nations struggle with such disasters. Japan's preparedness is commendable though. We need similar disaster management systems back home.
A 7.0 magnitude quake and only 45,600 households without power? That's incredible disaster response. In many countries, that number would be much higher. Japan's infrastructure is truly world-class. Hope everyone stays safe.
The timing is interesting—almost exactly a decade after the 2016 disaster. These natural reminders are humbling. India's seismology experts (NCS) tracking this so closely shows we're part of a global network. Solidarity with Japan. 🌏
Good to see the Japanese authorities advising people to check reliable sources and act calmly. We could learn from this—during disasters in India, misinformation often spreads faster than official updates. Let's hope for minimal damage and quick recovery.
My thoughts are with everyone in Kumamoto. The fact that the Japan Meteorological Agency is issuing advisories within minutes of the quake shows why they're a global leader in disaster management. That's what we need—not just reactive relief but proactive warning systems.
R Rohit P