7.1 magnitude quake rocks Japan's Kumamoto prefecture

Natural disastersThe southwestern region is home to TSMC's Kyushu manufacturing hubJapan Meteorological Agency websiteAKANE OKUTSUJuly 28, 2026 17:05 JSTTOKYO -- A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto on Tuesday afternoon, registering the maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale.The powerful quake struck at 4:35 p.m., followed four minutes later by a magnitude 4.5 temblor, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.The prefecture is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s production hub on the island of Kyushu. A spokesperson for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a major semiconductor manufacturer, told Kyodo News that the company is currently assessing the situation.Kumamoto was devastated by a series of major ear