A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto on Tuesday afternoon, collapsing buildings, suspending trains and leaving more than 40,000 homes without power. Chipmaker TSMC evacuated workers from its Kumamoto plant, and Japan’s meteorological agency warned of a risk of further earthquakes.
An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.1 hit the prefecture of Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan at close to 4.30pm local time on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and triggering warnings of potentially large aftershocks. National broadcaster NHK showed pictures of buckled and cracked roads, overturned freight trains, collapsed and burning buildings and a seriously damaged shopping centre.
Explosion reported at a Kashima shopping centre
NHK said the local fire department had reported an explosion at the shopping centre in the town of Kashima, and that people appeared to be trapped inside. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaking in Tokyo soon after the earthquake, said there had been reports of injuries in the region.
Takaichi pointed to power outages, fires and damage to roads and bridges as well as the collapse of buildings. She then told residents what to do: “Above all, please take action to protect yourselves, including evacuating to a safe place.”
More than 40,000 homes lose power
Kyushu Electric Power said more than 40,000 homes were without power, while trains in the region were suspended and the local airport was closed. Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara said there had been no reports of irregularities at the region’s nuclear plants.
The meteorological agency issued a warning of a one-metre tsunami directly after the earthquake, but subsequently lifted it.
TSMC evacuates its Kumamoto plant
The area around Kumamoto is home to many industrial companies, including major parts of the country’s semiconductor infrastructure. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest chip manufacturer, said in a statement that it had evacuated workers from its plant in Kumamoto. Sony, which also has semiconductor operations in Kumamoto, said it was examining the situation.
Meteorological agency flags a risk of further earthquakes
Because the earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth, the meteorological agency said, the tremors were particularly powerful and there was a risk of further earthquakes. The last time an earthquake of this magnitude hit Japan was in 2024 on the Noto Peninsula, resulting in multiple deaths.
Kumamoto itself was devastated by large earthquakes in 2016.
Source: Financial Times
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