Strong Earthquake Hits Japan, Damages Historic Kumamoto Castle

A powerful 7.1 earthquake shook southern Japan's Kumamoto region on July 28, 2026, hurting at least 50 people and damaging thousands of buildings. Kumamoto Castle, a famous landmark still being repaired after a deadly 2016 quake, suffered new damage. The repeat quake in the same area ten years later raises questions about future aftershocks — smaller tremors that follow the main one.