Japan Earthquake Kills at Least 13 and Injures Dozens in Kumamoto
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan on July 28 at 4:27 p.m. local time, killing at least 13 people including one Vietnamese worker, injuring dozens, collapsing buildings and prompting the evacuation of around 300,000 residents. The Japan earthquake registered a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale with its epicenter about 12 miles south of Kumamoto city at a shallow depth of roughly 6-10 km. [4] [5]
Magnitude 7.1 Quake Hits Kumamoto
The Japan earthquake hit at 4:27 p.m. local time on July 28 and registered a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale. [1] [4] Japan Broadcasting Corp reported that the quake struck Kumamoto with its epicenter located about 12 miles south of Kumamoto city at a depth of just over six miles. [1] [4] The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded the depth at 10 kilometers under the prefecture of Kumamoto. [5] At least 13 people were killed in the event, dozens were injured with at least 50 hospitalized, and multiple buildings collapsed including a shopping mall in Kashima where an explosion was reported. [4] [5] The tremor caused several people to become trapped in the collapsed mall and led to multiple confirmed deaths. [4]
Vietnamese Worker Killed by Collapsed Crane
One male Vietnamese worker was killed when a crane inside the factory where he worked collapsed onto him during the Japan earthquake. [3] The victim had arrived in Japan as a technical intern in January 2026 and was affiliated with the Kumamoto Hitozukuri cooperative in the prefecture. [3] Police and emergency responders arrived promptly but could not rescue the man because of the crane's heavy weight. [3] Seven other Vietnamese technical interns working at the same factory managed to evacuate safely. [3] Another Vietnamese woman, the wife of a Vietnamese worker living in Uki city in Kumamoto prefecture, was injured after a wall collapsed during the quake. [3] She is receiving treatment at a local hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, although her home sustained severe damage. [3]
TSMC and Semiconductor Operations Resume
TSMC reported that its employees at the JASM semiconductor fab in Kumamoto were safe and the facility structure remained intact after the Japan earthquake. [1] The world's largest contract chipmaker stated that an inspection confirmed the fab run by the TSMC-led joint venture Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc remained unscathed and that operations were gradually being restored. [1] Right after the temblor JASM evacuated its employees based on its evacuation criteria and all personnel inside the facility were evacuated and accounted for. [1] TSMC said JASM would carry out further examinations of its complex to assess the impact of the earthquake. [1] The construction site of the second fab was not affected by the earthquake although some work remained suspended out of safety considerations because of possible aftershocks. [1] The Ministry of Economic Affairs said other Taiwanese companies operating in Kumamoto were not hurt by the earthquake. [1]
Toyota and Other Companies Halt Work
Toyota halted production at three factories until Friday due to the Japan earthquake. [2] Sony also evacuated staff from its facilities in the affected area. [4] The Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed that other Taiwanese companies in Kumamoto including Advantech Co, Delta Electronics Inc, Ucan Ltd and the Kumamoto branch of CTBC's subsidiary Tokyo Star Bank reported no injuries. [1]
Damage, Evacuations and Government Response
The Japan earthquake caused the collapse of at least 12 dwellings, four people trapped in debris and seven fires across the prefecture. [5] A shopping mall in Kashima suffered roof collapse, wall detachment and a subsequent explosion under investigation. [5] Power outages affected 48,000 homes and train services were suspended while Aso Kumamoto Airport was closed. [4] A tsunami advisory was issued for the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas but was later lifted. [4] [5] The Japanese government dispatched soldiers for rescue efforts and the Cabinet Office's disaster management division coordinated the response. [4] Approximately 300,000 people were evacuated in Kumamoto prefecture. [4] Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the government is prioritizing saving lives and urged residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks. [4] [5]
Safety Confirmed at Nuclear Facilities
No abnormalities were reported at nearby nuclear power plants following the Japan earthquake. [4]
What to watch next: Further examinations of the JASM fab complex will assess the earthquake impact while some work at the second fab construction site remains suspended due to possible aftershocks. [1]
