Strong Earthquake Strikes Kumamoto! President Lai and Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Offer Immediate Condolences; Representative in Japan Reports Local Damage: Buildings Collapsed, Civilians Possibly Buried

At 4:27 PM local time on the 28th, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, registering a maximum seismic intensity of 7. The Japan Meteorological Agency immediately issued a tsunami advisory, urging residents to stay away from coastal areas. In response, President Lai Ching-te expressed condolences via social media, stating he represented the people of Taiwan in offering sincere sympathy. 'Taiwan and Japan are true friends who stand together in times of hardship. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide assistance at any moment. We pray for the safety of all affected residents.'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to an inquiry from Storm Media later that evening, stating it is deeply concerned about the damage caused by the strong earthquake in Japan. It has already contacted the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association's Taipei office to express condolences and offer immediate support. As of now, no reports of injuries or damage involving Taiwanese nationals have been received.

Following the earthquake, the Ministry instructed its Fukuoka office to assess the damage and check on the safety of Taiwanese citizens. The Fukuoka office has contacted local Taiwanese expatriates and students, advising them to stay safe. As of nearly 7 PM Taipei time, no casualties or incidents involving Taiwanese travelers, expatriates, or students have been reported. The Ministry reminded citizens that in case of emergency, they should immediately call the Fukuoka office’s emergency assistance hotline (+81-90-1922-9740).

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Representative in Japan, Lee Yi-young, posted on Facebook detailing the damage near the epicenter, including multiple building collapses, bridge damage, suspected cases of civilians being buried alive, and building fires. In transportation, the Kyushu Shinkansen and JR Kyushu services have been fully suspended. Approximately 45,000 households in the prefecture are without power, and some areas have experienced communication outages. Road surfaces between Matsubase and Yatsushiro interchanges in Kumamoto have uplifted and shifted, with sections of the road damaged.

Lee mentioned that no damage reports have been received from TSMC, and that the Fukuoka branch of the Representative Office is currently conducting a full check on Taiwanese businesses, overseas compatriots, and students. He added that the Japanese government activated its disaster response mechanisms immediately and expressed hope that the damage would be minimized. 'Taiwan and Japan stand together in adversity and are ready to provide support at any time.'

More exclusive reports from Storm Media: · Kumamoto 'Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake' Eyewitness Accounts: Shaking so intense that directions were indistinguishable—elderly man says, 'I truly thought I would die' · Ongoing Updates: Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake in Kyushu, Japan! Kumamoto Castle walls collapse; residents fear aftershocks could be stronger, as in the 2014 disaster · Kumamoto hit by magnitude 7.1 earthquake! Epicenter near 2016 major quake zone, where nearly 3,000 were injured or killed and 180,000 evacuated