China Closely Follows Impact of Japan Kumamoto Earthquake, Offers Condolences, Vows Assistance to Chinese Nationals: FM Spokesperson

By Shen Sheng

Jul 29, 2026 03:32 PM

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning

"We are closely following the impact of the earthquake in Kumamoto. We mourn the lives lost and express sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday when asked about strong earthquake that has caused casualties in Kumamoto of Japan.

Mao added that the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan have immediately activated emergency response and issued consular alerts advising Chinese nationals to prepare for possible tsunamis and aftershocks. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and missions in Japan continue to follow the developments closely and stand ready to assist our fellow nationals whenever needed. 

The magnitude-7.1 quake struck Kumamoto at 4:27 pm local time Tuesday at a depth of about 10 kilometers, Xinhua News Agency citing Japan Meteorological Agency reported.

Twelve people have been confirmed dead following a powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, while six others remain in cardiac arrest, local media reported Wednesday, citing the latest official figures, according to Xinhua.

Speaking at a disaster response headquarters meeting, prefectural officials said that 62 people had also been injured, while at least four people remain unaccounted for, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Rescue and search operations are ongoing in the affected areas as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties, per Xinhua.

The Chinese Consulate General in Fukuoka, Japan told the Global Times on Wednesday morning that it had so far received no reports of Chinese nationals injured in the Kumamoto earthquake. Several Chinese nationals in Kumamoto have contacted the consulate for assistance and the consulate is responding to their requests, the consulate said.

Earlier, Reuters reported that Kumamoto Airport closed its runway, as airlines diverted and cancelled flights. Kyushu Electric Power also said 48,000 homes had lost power as a result of the latest quake, while railway company JR Kyushu said that it had suspended services, including its high-speed bullet trains.

A Chinese national surnamed Li, who posted on social media early Wednesday that he was stranded at Kumamoto Airport, told the Global Times that he left Kumamoto around noon and rerouted through Fukuoka to catch a flight.

Beyond transportation, the earthquake has also disrupted regional economic activity, damaging commercial facilities and factories and affecting logistics, according to the Japan Times. Several major manufacturers, including Honda, Astemo, Sony Group and Renesas Electronics, have suspended operations at plants in Kumamoto Prefecture, while TSMC temporarily evacuated workers from its facility and has gradually resumed operations as it assesses the impact.

After the quake, fires erupted in Kumamoto City, the regional capital, which has a population of more than 700,000. At Kumamoto Castle, a centuries-old landmark in the center of the city, a stone wall partially collapsed, the New York Times reported. 

At the partially collapsed mall, about 200 people were evacuated immediately after the initial earthquake on Tuesday, according to the prefectural police headquarters. Shortly after, an explosion rocked the structure, with video footage showing smoke and debris spreading into surrounding areas, according to the report.

Regarding the shopping mall explosion, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday that three people had been confirmed dead, Xinhua reported. More than 20 hours after the earthquake, people were still waiting to be rescued, she added.

According to Xinhua, Takaichi also said about 450 evacuation centers had been opened and around 7,700 people were taking shelter, while hot weather is expected to continue and evacuations are likely to be prolonged.