The 7.1-magnitude quake struck the southwestern region of Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread damage, sparking fires and leaving tens of thousands of homes without power.
"Thirteen people have died," Takaichi said a day after the tremor that registered at the highest level on Japan's shindo scale of seismic shaking.
"Extensive damage has been confirmed, including casualties, collapsed buildings, fires and damage to roads," Takaichi told reporters, adding that officials were confirming whether all the fatalities were caused by the tremor.
The dead on the island of Kyushu included two women in the mall and three more elsewhere, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency told AFP earlier. Seven people were severely injured.
A residential building on fire after an earthquake struck Japan's southern Kumamoto prefecture, in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, July 28, 2026. Photo by AP
