Meeting of the Emergency Headquarters for the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake

On July 28, 2026, Prime Minister TAKAICHI held the first meeting of the Emergency Headquarters for the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake at the Prime Minister's Office.

Based on the discussion at the meeting, the Prime Minister made the following remarks.

(Prime Minister TAKAICHI) 
Thank you all for your hard work.

At approximately 4:27 p.m. today, an earthquake with its epicenter in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture occurred. A maximum seismic intensity of 7 was observed in the cities of Uki and Hikawa Town in Kumamoto Prefecture, while strong tremor was felt across a wide area of Kyushu. Human casualties, collapsed buildings, damaged roads, fires, and other extensive damage have already been confirmed.

First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to everyone affected by this disaster.

Immediately after the earthquake, the Government established an information contact office at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center to promptly assess the extent of the damage. At the same time, the relevant ministries and agencies have been working in close coordination and making every effort in the initial response. Police, fire departments, the Japan Coast Guard, and the Self-Defense Forces are also conducting search and rescue operations on the ground.

Because this disaster requires a whole-of-government response with close coordination among all relevant ministries and agencies, today I established the Emergency Headquarters for the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, which I will head. In addition, following a request from the Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture for a disaster relief deployment, the Self-Defense Forces have begun carrying out operations in the affected areas with approximately 3,600 personnel.

At this critical juncture, with saving lives as our highest priority, we must minimize the damage as much as possible and ensure the safety of the public by mobilizing the full capabilities of the Government while working closely with local governments.

I ask all ministries and agencies to provide every possible support for local governments, work closely with them, quickly gain a full understanding of the overall damage, and devote every effort throughout the night to emergency disaster response measures, beginning with search and rescue operations.

I also ask you to make full use of push-type assistance to ensure that essential supplies, including food, drinking water, portable air conditioners to help prevent heatstroke, and power supply vehicles, are delivered without delay to those affected, while ensuring a safe and comfortable environment at evacuation shelters.

To everyone in the areas that experienced strong tremor, the risk of building collapses and landslides remains high. Please do not enter dangerous areas, and continue to take every precaution to protect your safety. In addition, please remain alert over the coming week for earthquakes of up to a maximum seismic intensity of 7. Some areas are also experiencing power outages. Please evacuate to safe locations where necessary, take appropriate action to protect yourselves, and continue to take precautions against heatstroke.

My cabinet will do everything we can. With saving lives as our highest priority, I ask all of you to mobilize the full capabilities of the Government in responding to this disaster.

I ask for the full cooperation of all ministers and everyone across the Government.