Key Facts (As of July 28, 2026)
- Time: Around 4:27 PM on July 28, 2026
- Epicenter: Kumamoto region, Kumamoto Prefecture, at a depth of about 10km
- Magnitude: 7.1 (Japan Meteorological Agency)
- Maximum intensity 7: Uki City and Hikawa Town, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Intensity 6-upper: Minami-ku (Kumamoto City), Yatsushiro City, Uto City, and other areas
- Intensity 6-lower: Amakusa City, Ashikita Town
- Intensity 5-upper: Shimabara Peninsula (Nagasaki Prefecture), Satsuma region (Kagoshima Prefecture)
- Intensity 5-lower: Parts of Miyazaki Prefecture
- Tsunami advisory (expected height 1m): Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea
- Transport: JR Kyushu has suspended all rail lines across Kyushu, including the Kyushu Shinkansen (from 4:27 PM)
- Aftershocks are continuing across Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima prefectures
- This situation is developing. Always check the latest information from the Japan Meteorological Agency, NHK, and local government sources.
The information in this article reflects the situation at the time of writing. The tsunami advisory may be upgraded to a warning or lifted, and intensity readings and aftershock activity may change. Always check real-time updates from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), NHK, or the NERV disaster prevention app.
What Happened
Around 4:27 PM on July 28, 2026, an earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. A maximum intensity of 7 was recorded in Uki City and Hikawa Town, and a tsunami advisory has been issued for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea (Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, NHK News, July 28, 2026 reports).
Intensity 7 is the highest level on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, describing shaking so strong that people cannot remain standing. Strong shaking was felt across a wide area of Kumamoto Prefecture, as well as in parts of Nagasaki and Kagoshima prefectures.
This article is a breaking-news summary to help residents of Japan figure out calmly what to do right now. Information is changing quickly, so always check the latest updates.
The Short Version
- A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region, with a maximum intensity of 7
- A tsunami advisory (expected height 1m) is in effect for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea. Stay away from the coast and rivers
- JR Kyushu has suspended all rail lines across Kyushu, including the Kyushu Shinkansen
- The three primary sources to check: JMA, NHK, and local government sites
- NERV Disaster Prevention, Safety tips, and NHK World are useful multilingual apps
- Aftershocks are ongoing, so stay prepared for the next several days
- Since the situation keeps changing, make it a habit to re-check the latest information
1. What’s Confirmed So Far
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | Around 4:27 PM, July 28, 2026 |
| Epicenter | Kumamoto region, Kumamoto Prefecture, depth about 10km |
| Magnitude | M7.1 (JMA) |
| Maximum intensity 7 | Uki City, Hikawa Town |
| Intensity 6-upper | Minami-ku (Kumamoto City), Yatsushiro City, Uto City, and other areas |
| Intensity 6-lower | Amakusa City, Ashikita Town |
| Intensity 5-upper | Shimabara Peninsula (Nagasaki Prefecture), Satsuma region (Kagoshima Prefecture) |
| Intensity 5-lower | Parts of Miyazaki Prefecture |
| Tsunami advisory (expected height 1m) | Ariake Sea, Yatsushiro Sea |
These are preliminary figures as of July 28, 2026. Magnitude and intensity readings may be revised by JMA after further analysis. Always check the official JMA website for the latest figures.
(Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, NHK News, July 28, 2026 reports)
2. Impact on Transportation
Following the intensity-7 shaking, JR Kyushu has suspended operations on all rail lines across Kyushu, including the Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo), starting at 4:27 PM. The Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen and conventional lines have also been suspended due to the shaking. The Sanyo Shinkansen is experiencing delays on some trains between Hiroshima and Hakata (Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, NHK News, Kyodo News, July 28, 2026 reports).
No confirmed information is available yet on airports or expressways at the time of writing. If you have travel plans, check the official JR Kyushu website and the official sites of individual airlines and NEXCO West for the latest status.
All Kyushu rail lines, including shinkansen and conventional lines, are currently suspended, with no timeline yet for resumption. Don’t try to force your way to your destination. Stay somewhere safe and wait for updated information.
3. Where to Check the Latest Information First
If Japanese-language coverage is hard to follow, prioritize these multilingual sources.
- JMA Earthquake and Tsunami Information (English available): https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/menu.html (Japanese version at jma.go.jp)
- NHK World (English, multilingual): https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/
- NERV Disaster Prevention app (English display available): Near real-time earthquake and tsunami alerts
- Safety tips (14 languages): A multilingual disaster prevention app provided by the Japan Tourism Agency
- JR Kyushu train information (English available): https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/
Local government disaster portals (Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto City, etc.) are mostly Japanese-only. Use them as a supplementary source for detailed shelter status, and pair them with the multilingual sources above if Japanese is a barrier.
Don’t rely on a single source. Social media can be fast, but it can also carry old footage or inaccurate information. Treat official announcements as your main source and social media as a supplement.
4. What to Do While the Tsunami Advisory Is in Effect
A tsunami advisory is issued when the expected wave height is roughly 1m or less. It’s a level where coastal activities can still be dangerous, so swimming, fishing, and surfing should be called off, and you should stay away from beaches and river mouths.
If you’re on the coast of the Ariake Sea or Yatsushiro Sea
- Stay away from beaches, seawalls, and river mouths
- Do not go to check on the ocean
- It’s safer to stay somewhere higher than usual until the advisory is lifted
Tsunami waves can arrive repeatedly, and later waves can be larger than the first. If the advisory is upgraded to a warning, evacuate to higher ground immediately.
If you’re inland
- Direct tsunami damage is unlikely, but watch for changes in river water levels
- Stay clear of tall furniture in case of aftershocks
5. Preparing for the Earthquake Itself
After an earthquake of this size, aftershocks can continue for several days. Stay alert.
If the ground is shaking (indoors)
- Remember Drop, Cover, and Hold On
- Get under a table and hold onto its legs
- Stay away from windows, bookshelves, and tall furniture
- If you have a chance, open a door to secure an exit route, but don’t take unnecessary risks
- If you’re cooking, turn off the heat once the shaking stops
If the ground is shaking (outdoors)
- Protect your head with a bag or your arms and move to an open area
- Stay away from block walls, vending machines, signs, and utility poles
- If driving, slow down gradually and pull over to the left side of the road, then check information on the radio
After the shaking stops
- Check yourself and people around you for injuries
- Put on shoes (there may be broken glass on the floor)
- Turn off the gas valve and shut off the circuit breaker (this helps prevent electrical fires)
- LINE, email, and social media tend to be more reliable than phone calls right after a quake
- The disaster message dial (Saigai Dengon Dial), 171, can be used even if your Japanese isn’t strong
6. What Residents of Japan Should Check Right Now
If fast-spoken Japanese news is hard to follow, or you’re unsure whether you’re allowed to go to a shelter, you’re not the only one. It’s worth confirming the following now.
Emergency phone numbers
| Purpose | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 110 | Crimes, accidents |
| Ambulance/Fire | 119 | Fires, injuries, rescue |
| Japan Coast Guard | 118 | Accidents at sea, tsunami |
| Disaster Message Dial | 171 | Checking on family members |
Shelters and local government information
- Many municipal websites in Kumamoto Prefecture have multilingual pages
- You can find shelters by searching “hinanjo” or “shelter” on Google Maps
- Free Wi-Fi under the name “00000JAPAN” may be opened during disasters
Residence Card and translation apps
- At a shelter, your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) and a translation app on your phone should be enough for basic communication
For general earthquake preparedness in Japan, see our Earthquake Preparedness Guide for Japan. For more on how Japan’s disaster warning system works, see Japan’s New Disaster Warning System Explained.
FAQ
Q. How strong is an intensity 7 earthquake?
A. Intensity 7 is the highest level on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. It describes shaking so violent that people cannot stand and can only move by crawling.
Q. What’s the difference between a tsunami advisory and a tsunami warning?
A. A tsunami advisory is issued when the expected wave height is 1m or less, at which point ocean activities like swimming and fishing should stop. A tsunami warning covers expected heights of roughly 1m to 3m and requires evacuation from coastal areas. This event currently has an advisory in effect.
Q. Can I go to a shelter even if my Japanese isn’t strong?
A. Yes. Shelters have local government staff and volunteers on site. Bring your Residence Card and a translation app.
Q. How long will the aftershocks continue?
A. No one can say for certain. After a major earthquake, aftershocks can continue for days to weeks. Keep checking JMA’s updates.
Q. Can I bring my pet to a shelter?
A. Rules vary by municipality. Prepare a carrier and pet food, and check with your nearest shelter in advance.
What to Do Right Now
- ✅ A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region at 4:27 PM on July 28, 2026, with a maximum intensity of 7
- ✅ A tsunami advisory (expected height 1m) is in effect for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea. Stay away from beaches and river mouths
- ✅ JR Kyushu has suspended all rail lines across Kyushu. Re-check official sites before you travel
- ✅ For earthquakes: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Once shaking stops, put on shoes and check the gas and electricity
- ✅ Keep NERV Disaster Prevention, Safety tips, and NHK World installed on your phone
- ✅ Aftershocks may continue for several days, so stay prepared
Shaking is still being felt across the Kumamoto region, and the situation is changing by the hour. When in doubt, don’t take chances. Prioritize the JMA earthquake and tsunami information and instructions from local authorities.
This article is based on publicly available information (JMA, NHK, and others) as of July 28, 2026. Intensity readings, magnitude figures, and the tsunami advisory status may be updated. Any decision to evacuate should always follow the latest official information and local government instructions. This article is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee any specific outcome.
