The death toll from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 has risen to 34 as of July 30, 2026. At least 123 people have been injured, while more than 267 000 residents remain under evacuation orders as authorities continue emergency response operations across the affected region.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.8 struck Kyushu, Japan at 07:27 UTC (16:27 JST) on July 28, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), while the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported M7.1 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) in the Kumamoto Region, Kumamoto Prefecture. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 300 km (186 miles) of the epicenter.
Japan recorded temperatures of 40°C (104°F) or higher for the fifth consecutive day on July 25, 2026, marking the country’s longest such streak on record as an exceptionally persistent heatwave continued under a dominant Pacific high-pressure system. Heatstroke alerts remained in effect across much of the country, while additional climatological analysis suggests this summer is already approaching last year’s record number of locations reaching the 40°C (104°F) threshold.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed a very small eruption at Tokachidake’s 62-2 crater at 11:07 LT (02:07 UTC) on July 22, 2026, the volcano’s first eruption since February 2004. A black plume rose approximately 200 m (656 feet) above the crater rim, while Volcanic Alert Level 2 remained in effect. Tokachidake is located in central Hokkaido, on Japan’s northernmost main island, approximately 900 km (560 miles) north-northeast of Tokyo.
Super Typhoon Bavi maintained Category 4-equivalent intensity over the Philippine Sea on July 8, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph) and higher gusts. The cyclone is forecast to weaken gradually before passing near Taiwan and Japan’s Yaeyama Islands around July 11 and making a possible landfall along the eastern coast of China around July 12.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan at 04:04 UTC (13:04 LT) on July 3, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting the same depth and magnitude. There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
A strong earthquake registered by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as M6.0 hit off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, Honshu at 12:08 UTC (21:08 JST) on July 1, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 40 km (25 miles). USGS registered this quake as M5.9 at a depth of 37 km (23 miles).
Flooding triggered by Tropical Storm Mekkhala killed two people in Taiwan after nearly 1 m (3 ft) of rain inundated parts of the island on Friday, June 26, 2026.Meanwhile, one fatality was reported in Japan which remained on high alert for flooding and landslides as tropical moisture from Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos interacted with the seasonal Baiu rain front, prompting evacuations, transport disruptions and widespread weather warnings.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.9 struck near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, at 22:30 UTC on June 24, 2026 (07:30 LT on June 25). The agency is reporting a depth of 51 km (32 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.9 at a depth of 53 km (33 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this event.
Typhoon Mekkhala and Tropical Depression Higos are forecast to merge south of Honshu on June 26, 2026 bringing heavy rain, rough seas and strong winds to large parts of Japan through June 27.
