Japan: Strong Earthquake Hits Kumamoto 2

A strong earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at around 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, registering a maximum intensity of 5+ on the Japanese seismic scale. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture, at a depth of approximately 10 km. The quake is estimated to have had a magnitude of 5.7. A video shows overhead wires shaking at Kumamoto Station right after the earthquake.

Symposium on baby hatches

Symposium on baby hatches

Takeshi Hasuda, director of Jikei Hospital, speaks at a symposium in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on July 6, 2024, over issues regarding "baby hatches" that enable parents to anonymously leave infants they are unable to care for.

Symposium on baby hatches

Symposium on baby hatches

Takeshi Hasuda, director of Jikei Hospital, speaks at a symposium in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on July 6, 2024, over issues regarding "baby hatches" that enable parents to anonymously leave infants they are unable to care for.

RECAP: Fireball Illuminates Nights Sky Across Western Japan

A fireball was spotted across western Japan on Tuesday night, August 19, briefly illuminating the sky and surprising residents. Authorities said observation equipment also recorded air vibrations shortly after 11 p.m., when the light was seen.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

TAMANA, Japan, Aug. 12 Kyodo - The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan. (Kyodo)

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

The city of Tamana in Kumamoto Prefecture is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

A road in the city of Kumamoto is inundated on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

A road in the city of Kumamoto is inundated on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

A shopping complex parking lot in the city of Kumamoto is inundated on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

A road in the city of Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, is inundated on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

A shopping complex parking lot in the city of Kumamoto is inundated on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain in southwestern Japan.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

A cafe in the city of Kumamoto in southwestern Japan is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

Torrential rain in Kumamoto Pref.

A cafe in the city of Kumamoto in southwestern Japan is flooded on Aug. 11, 2025, following torrential rain.

Japan: Man Pushes Car Stranded in Floodwater in Kumamoto

Bands of heavy rain lashed Kumamoto in southwestern Japan from Sunday night, August 10, into Monday, August 11, triggering flash flooding across the prefecture. This video shows a man pushing a vehicle stranded in floodwater near downtown Kumamoto during the downpour.

Japan: Heavy Rains Trigger Severe Flooding, Landslide in Kumamoto 5

Bands of heavy rain lashed Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan from Sunday night, August 10, into Monday, August 11, triggering flash flooding across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning for the cities of Yatsushiro, Tamana, Kamiamakusa, Uki, and Amakusa, as well as the towns of Nagasu and Hikawa. In Kosa Town, a mother and her two children were rescued after a landslide struck their vehicle. A man who was outside the vehicle remains missing. In Tamana, a resident reported that one person had been swept away in the Sakaigawa River. This video shows a flooded parking lot at Suizenji Ezuko park in Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City.

Japan: Heavy Rains Trigger Severe Flooding, Landslide in Kumamoto 3

Bands of heavy rain lashed Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan from Sunday night, August 10, into Monday, August 11, triggering flash flooding across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning for the cities of Yatsushiro, Tamana, Kamiamakusa, Uki, and Amakusa, as well as the towns of Nagasu and Hikawa. In Kosa Town, a mother and her two children were rescued after a landslide struck their vehicle. A man who was outside the vehicle remains missing. In Tamana, a resident reported that one person had been swept away in the Sakaigawa River.

Japan: Heavy Rains Trigger Severe Flooding, Landslide in Kumamoto 2

Bands of heavy rain lashed Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan from Sunday night, August 10, into Monday, August 11, triggering flash flooding across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning for the cities of Yatsushiro, Tamana, Kamiamakusa, Uki, and Amakusa, as well as the towns of Nagasu and Hikawa. In Kosa Town, a mother and her two children were rescued after a landslide struck their vehicle. A man who was outside the vehicle remains missing. In Tamana, a resident reported that one person had been swept away in the Sakaigawa River.

Japan: Heavy Rains Trigger Severe Flooding, Landslide in Kumamoto

Bands of heavy rain lashed Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan from Sunday night, August 10, into Monday, August 11, triggering flash flooding across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning for the cities of Yatsushiro, Tamana, Kamiamakusa, Uki, and Amakusa, as well as the towns of Nagasu and Hikawa. In Kosa Town, a mother and her two children were rescued after a landslide struck their vehicle. A man who was outside the vehicle remains missing. In Tamana, a resident reported that one person had been swept away in the Sakaigawa River.

Japan: Heavy Rains Trigger Severe Flooding, Landslide in Kumamoto 4

Bands of heavy rain lashed Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan from Sunday night, August 10, into Monday, August 11, triggering flash flooding across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning for the cities of Yatsushiro, Tamana, Kamiamakusa, Uki, and Amakusa, as well as the towns of Nagasu and Hikawa. In Kosa Town, a mother and her two children were rescued after a landslide struck their vehicle. A man who was outside the vehicle remains missing. In Tamana, a resident reported that one person had been swept away in the Sakaigawa River.

Kumamon visits quake-hit city in Ishikawa Pref.

Kumamon visits quake-hit city in Ishikawa Pref.

Kumamon, the official mascot of the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto, makes chopsticks using a Wajima-nuri lacquerware technique at a facility in Wajima, an Ishikawa Prefecture city hit hard by the Jan. 1, 2024, massive earthquake, on Aug. 9, 2025. Kumamon is visiting various Ishikawa Prefecture cities to give encouragement to people affected by the disaster.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

A sample "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on March 23, 2025, marking the country's earliest bloom together with the western Japan city of Kochi.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

A sample "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on March 23, 2025, marking the country's earliest bloom together with the western Japan city of Kochi.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kochi

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kochi

A sample "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom at Kochi Castle in the western Japan city of Kochi on March 23, 2025, marking the country's earliest bloom together with the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto.

Japan: M6.6 Earthquake Hits Off Miyazaki Coast, Prompts Tsunami Advisory 2

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that on Monday, January 13, at around 21:19, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Hyuga-nada Sea off the coast of Kyushu Island, southwestern Japan, at a depth of 18.6 miles (30 kilometers). A tsunami advisory was also issued for Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures. A tsunami of approximately 20 cm was observed. This video shows flowers hanging in front of a flower shop in downtown Kumamoto City, swaying when the quake hit.

US: EF-1 Tornado Touches Down In Athens, AL, Leaving Devastating Damage

The National Weather Service in Huntsville has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in downtown Athens, Alabama, on Saturday night, December 28.

Golf: Rio Takeda

Golf: Rio Takeda

Japanese professional golfer Rio Takeda gives an interview in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on Dec. 14, 2024.

Golf: Rio Takeda

Golf: Rio Takeda

Japanese professional golfer Rio Takeda gives an interview in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on Dec. 14, 2024.

Japan sake-brewing added to UNESCO intangible heritage

Japan sake-brewing added to UNESCO intangible heritage

Sake brewers from the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto toast in the small hours of Dec. 5, 2024, in the city of Kumamoto, after traditional knowledge and skills of Japanese sake-brewing using "koji" mold was approved for addition to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Intangible Cultural Heritage list during its intergovernmental committee meeting the previous day in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Japan sake-brewing added to UNESCO intangible heritage

Japan sake-brewing added to UNESCO intangible heritage

Sake brewers from the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto toast in the small hours of Dec. 5, 2024, in the city of Kumamoto, after traditional knowledge and skills of Japanese sake-brewing using "koji" mold was approved for addition to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Intangible Cultural Heritage list during an intergovernmental committee meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Artificial sea of clouds at Kumamoto Castle

Artificial sea of clouds at Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto is surrounded by an artificial sea of clouds on Oct. 9, 2024, created to attract tourists.

Japan: Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Kyushu Triggering Tsunami Advisory 5

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, southern Kyushu Thursday afternoon, August 8 triggering a tsunami advisory for the island's east and southern coast and the southern coast of the neighboring island of Shikoku. This video shows ceiling lights swinging after the quake inside a restaurant in downtown Kumamoto City.

Japan: Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Kyushu Triggering Tsunami Advisory

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, southern Kyushu Thursday afternoon, August 8 triggering a tsunami advisory for the island's east and southern coast and the southern coast of the neighboring island of Shikoku. This video shows ceiling lights swinging after the quake inside a shopping mall at Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto City.

Taiwan orchestra in Japan

Taiwan orchestra in Japan

Taiwan's OneSong Orchestra performs with a local high school choir in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on June 19, 2024, in a concert co-hosted by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s Japanese subsidiary that operates a chip plant in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Taiwan orchestra in Japan

Taiwan orchestra in Japan

Taiwan's OneSong Orchestra performs with a local high school choir in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on June 19, 2024, in a concert co-hosted by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s Japanese subsidiary that operates a chip plant in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Japan PM Kishida

Japan PM Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida apologizes over a political funds scandal involving his ruling Liberal Democratic Party members during a political reform meeting in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on April 6, 2024. The meeting was held by a local branch of the party in the wake of the scandal.

Japan PM Kishida

Japan PM Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a political reform meeting in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on April 6, 2024. The meeting was held by a local branch of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the wake of a political funds scandal involving LDP members.

Kumamon mascot writes in calligraphy

Kumamon, the official mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, writes in calligraphy at a press conference in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Nov. 6, 2023, to promote tourist spots in Kumamoto. (Kyodo)

Badminton: Kumamoto Masters Japan

Badminton: Kumamoto Masters Japan

Former world No. 1 Kento Momota of Japan plays during the men's singles qualification round of the Kumamoto Masters Japan badminton tournament at Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto on Nov. 14, 2023.

Badminton: Kumamoto Masters Japan

Badminton: Kumamoto Masters Japan

Former world No. 1 Kento Momota of Japan plays during the men's singles qualification round of the Kumamoto Masters Japan badminton tournament at Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto on Nov. 14, 2023.

Badminton: Kumamoto Masters Japan

Badminton: Kumamoto Masters Japan

Former world No. 1 Kento Momota of Japan plays during the men's singles qualification round of the Kumamoto Masters Japan badminton tournament at Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto on Nov. 14, 2023.

Kumamon mascot writes in calligraphy

Kumamon mascot writes in calligraphy

Kumamon, the official mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, writes in calligraphy at a press conference in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Nov. 6, 2023, to promote tourist spots in Kumamoto.

Seaweed farming in southwestern Japan

Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 28, 2023, shows colorful nets spread for seaweed farming in the Ariake Sea off Saga in southwestern Japan. (Kyodo)

Football: Machida clinch J1 promotion

Football: Machida clinch J1 promotion

Machida Zelvia players celebrate after clinching their first-ever promotion to Japanese football's top flight at Egao Kenko Stadium in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on Oct. 22, 2023.