[Breaking News]Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

BEIJING, China, July 30 Kyodo - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning speaks at a press conference in Beijing on July 29, 2026, offering condolences to those affected by a powerful quake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture and its vicinity. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Aeon president speaks about post-quake explosion

KUMAMOTO, Japan, July 30 Kyodo - Aeon Co. President Akio Yoshida bows at a press conference in Kumamoto in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto on July 29, 2026, a day after an Aeon shopping mall in Kashima in the prefecture was rocked by a deadly explosion following a strong earthquake that struck the region. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

YATSUSHIRO, Japan, July 30 Kyodo - Video taken from a drone shows cracks in the ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]BOJ key monetary meeting

TOKYO, Japan, July 31 Kyodo - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on July 31, 2026, following a two-day monetary policy meeting. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

YATSUSHIRO, Japan, July 29 Kyodo - A torii gate at a shrine lies toppled in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Junglia Okinawa theme park opens

NAKIJIN, Japan, July 25 Kyodo - Visitors form a line to enter Junglia Okinawa theme park in Nakijin in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on its opening day on July 25, 2025. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

ASAHIKAWA, Japan, July 25 Kyodo - A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026. (Kyodo)

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations continuing for a missing person at a partially destroyed Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 30, 2026, two days after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Thatched-roof house catches fire in World Heritage-listed village

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters watering a traditional thatched-roof house in the World Heritage-listed Gokayama hamlet in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on July 30, 2026. No one was injured in the fire, put under control about 50 minutes after the incident was reported to the local fire station.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train halted on the tracks in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity, suspending its services.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train halted on the tracks in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity, suspending its services.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed building in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a torii gate at a shrine lying toppled in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Sony halts Kumamoto chip plant following strong quake

Sony halts Kumamoto chip plant following strong quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. plant in Kikuyo in Kumamoto Prefecture. The subsidiary of Sony Group Corp. halted operations at the plant after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28.

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a damaged Aeon shopping mall building in Kashima in Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a deadly explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a damaged Aeon shopping mall building in Kashima in Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a deadly explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Aftermath of Aeon mall explosion following Kumamoto quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a damaged Aeon shopping mall building in Kashima in Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a deadly explosion occurred following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

[Breaking News]Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

KASHIMA, Japan, July 29 Kyodo - Search and rescue operations are underway at a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 28, 2026, following an explosion after a powerful earthquake shook the southwestern Japan prefecture. Many people are feared trapped inside the building. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

TOKYO, Japan, July 28 Kyodo - A Japan Meteorological Agency official holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan. (Kyodo)

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations under way at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and surrounding areas.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows search and rescue operations under way at a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and surrounding areas.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows the collapsed Yatsushiro Gu shrine in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the damaged Minami-Kyushu Expressway in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a collapsed stone wall at the Yatsushiro Castle ruins in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows damage to the Minami-Kyushu Expressway and cracks in the nearby ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows cracks in the ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a crack in the ground in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, following a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity the previous day.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, following a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity the previous day.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, following a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity the previous day.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a Nippon Paper Industries Co. plant with its smokestack broken in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, following a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity the previous day.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows search and rescue operations at a collapsed house in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after an explosion apparently triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after an explosion apparently triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

[Breaking News]Football: Japan head coach Moriyasu

TOKYO, Japan, July 24 Kyodo - Japan men's football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu speaks at a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on July 24, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Football player Nakamura pitches BMW new EV

TOKYO, Japan, July 23 Kyodo - Japan football midfielder Keito Nakamura attends an event held in Tokyo on July 22, 2026, to promote BMW's new iX3 electric sport utility vehicle, launched in Japan the same day. A BMW user, Nakamura was named the BMW Friend of the Brand. (Kyodo)

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows search and rescue operations at a collapsed house in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows search and rescue operations at a collapsed house in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an abandoned truck near a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after an explosion apparently triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after an explosion apparently triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after an explosion apparently triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after an explosion apparently triggered by a gas leak following a powerful earthquake that hit the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 28, 2026, shows a destroyed Aeon Mall building in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, following an explosion after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook the southwestern Japan prefecture. Many people are feared trapped inside the building.