Japanese

At approximately 4:27 p.m. on July 28, an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 struck the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture. Strong shaking measuring upper 5 and lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale was observed across a wide area of Kyushu, while intensities ranging from 1 to 4 were also recorded in the Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions. Since then, numerous earthquakes of intensity 1 or greater have continued to occur, including three aftershocks reaching a maximum intensity of lower 5, and the situation remains unpredictable.

The full extent of the damage is not yet known. However, many people have reportedly lost their lives or been injured, and large numbers have been forced to evacuate. I offer my deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives in this earthquake and extend my heartfelt sympathies to their families and everyone affected.

Hiroshima University sincerely hopes that all those affected will be able to regain a sense of normalcy as soon as possible. We are currently working to assess the circumstances of students, faculty, and staff from the affected areas, those who may be staying there while visiting family or traveling on business, and those whose families live in the disaster-stricken region. We will continue making every effort to gather information from the affected areas as quickly as possible.

July 29, 2026
Mitsuo Ochi
President, Hiroshima University