A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan at 4:27 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 28, leaving several people injured, sparking fires, and cutting power to over 48,000 households. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the shaking reached a maximum intensity of 7 on the Japanese scale in Uki and Hikawa, the highest level on the country's seismic scale and the first time this level has been recorded since the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024. Meanwhile, Aso Kumamoto Airport ordered the closure of its runways from 4:40 p.m. with no reopening time set, and JR Kyushu suspended all train services, including all Shinkansen lines. Kyushu Electric Power confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at the Sendai and Genkai nuclear power plants.
Kyushu Railway CompanyJR Kyushu suspends all train services including Shinkansen due to earthquake, halting operations and causing revenue loss.
KYUSHU ELECTRIC POWER CO INCEarthquake disrupts power grid, cuts power to 48,000 households, and forces nuclear plant checks, potentially reducing electricity output.