Tokyo International News Agency

A major earthquake striking Kumamoto Prefecture has triggered widespread disruption across infrastructure, economic activities, and daily life in the region. Major tourist attractions, including Kumamoto Castle, immediately suspended operations to prioritize visitor safety. Widespread damage was reported at commercial facilities, and public transportation experienced severe schedule disruptions. Kumamoto Airport temporarily closed its runways for safety inspections; although operations resumed later that evening, domestic flights continued to face cancellations and delays. Logistics have also been heavily impacted, with major postal and delivery operators suspending parcel acceptance for all destinations within Kumamoto Prefecture. This has led to shipping delays in peer-to-peer marketplaces and adjustments by online retailers. The ripples extended into entertainment and telecommunications, with famous artists postponing live streams, anime release dates delayed, and reports of glitche...

On July 28, a major earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture and surrounding areas, registering a maximum seismic intensity of 7 in Kumamoto City. The quake caused severe damage across the region, including a partial re-collapse of the stone walls at Kumamoto Castle, long regarded as a symbol of local recovery. Ten years after the devastating 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes, skilled artisans had been meticulously working to restore the castle's historic stone walls. However, the violent shaking caused newly repaired sections and areas currently under restoration to crumble once again. Social media was flooded with expressions of heartbreak and dismay, with users posting comments such as "Just as it was finally being fixed..." and "It breaks my heart right when we were feeling the progress of recovery." The impact extended far beyond the castle grounds. Widespread damage has been reported throughout the prefecture, including collapsed homes, fires, destroyed roads and bri...