Situation Report #1 Japan Earthquake: 34 People Killed

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southern part of Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island, Japan, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The earthquake briefly triggered a tsunami early warning for coastal areas. After monitoring the situation, Japanese authorities lifted the warning. As of Friday, July 31, 2026, at 1:45 PM WIB, aftershocks were still occurring, prompting communities to remain vigilant. Rescue teams also continued to search for and evacuate victims in several affected areas.

Preliminary data recorded at least 34 fatalities. The earthquake damaged various buildings, industrial areas, and shopping centers, including AEON Mall. At the same time, Kyushu Electric Power was repairing electricity networks so communities could gradually regain access to basic services.

Communities are now facing increasingly complex challenges. A heatwave, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, has worsened conditions amid limited access to basic services. In Yatsushiro City, damage to the main pipeline cut off clean water access for around 58,000 households. Residents are relying on emergency water distribution stations to meet their drinking and cooking needs, while sanitation access remains limited. In Uki City, power outages are still affecting at least 2,000 households. Some residents are using portable generators or staying inside vehicles to reduce exposure to the heat.

The earthquake has also affected the activities of Indonesian citizens in the Kyushu region. The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo recorded around 30,000 Indonesian citizens on Kyushu Island, including approximately 5,000 Indonesian citizens in Kumamoto Prefecture. The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo confirmed that all Indonesian citizens are safe. However, some Indonesian citizens are still facing disruptions to clean water and electricity supplies.

Read more in Situation Report #1 Japan Earthquake.

Human Initiative’s Action Plan

Human Initiative continues to monitor the situation together with humanitarian partners, volunteers, and local networks in Japan. The Human Initiative team is gathering field information to map community conditions and identify evolving needs.

Rapid assessment findings indicate that the main needs include access to clean water, evacuation supplies, non-food items, and psychosocial support. As a preparedness measure, Human Initiative is preparing a plan to distribute clean water through water trucks and emergency water purification facilities. Human Initiative is also preparing tents with adequate ventilation, basic necessity kits, portable generators, and Psychological First Aid (PFA) services should conditions on the ground require a humanitarian response.

Let us take part in supporting communities affected by the earthquake in Japan together with Human Initiative through solusipeduli.org. Your support and collaboration can help more families meet their basic needs during the emergency response period.

Read more in Situation Report #1 Japan Earthquake.