Major earthquakes destroyed a mill and shopping mall in Japan. Christian ministries look to provide comfort and aid.

Japan (MNN) — Two major earthquakes rocked Japan’s Kyushu Island in quick succession yesterday.

The 7.1- and 6.1-magnitude quakes, along with many smaller tremors, caused buildings and roads to collapse. Reportedly, it was strong enough to be felt across the sea in South Korea. Authorities temporarily issued a tsunami warning in place that thankfully was lifted hours later.

The earthquake caused a chimney to collapse at a paper factory, and several workers remain missing. Perhaps the most notable consequence of the earthquake was at an Aeon shopping mall, where an additional explosion partially destroyed the building and ignited an ongoing crisis. 

	A castle in Kumamoto. Image courtesy of 貴彦 佐藤 on Pexels

Takeshi Takazawa with ministry A3 says many people were trapped under the rubble at the Aeon mall. 

“Summer vacation has already started, so many families were out in the mall,” Takazawa says.

“We don’t have a clear number yet about how many people are still alive. All the rescue teams are going there to try to save as many as possible from the rubble.”

Multiple people are feared dead after the mall explosion, and authorities worked well through the night to excavate the rubble and get people out. 

An earthquake hotspot

Japan, which sits in the proverbial “Ring of Fire,” is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world. Kumamoto, the area hardest hit, experienced a deadly earthquake in 2016. Many people worry that another earthquake is coming soon, as that is what happened during the disaster a decade ago. 

Takazawa says, “Ten years ago, we developed a disaster relief network to rebuild and also to minister to the victims. That will be continuing because we haven’t completely closed that network yet.”

	Image courtesy of A3

A3’s ministry focuses on developing Christ-centered leaders. They have brought Gospel hope to Japan many times, including after the famous 2011 Triple Disaster. Takazawa says that they spend the immediate aftermath of a disaster praying, calling and connecting with people, and gathering information about the event and how the church is doing through it.

“After the rescue stage is over, we will begin to cooperate with the local pastors, people, and survivors, and then try to minister to the church and as well as through the churches to the community,” Takazawa says.

Takazawa says that God miraculously saved and ministered to people during the Kumamoto disaster ten years ago and asks that we would ask for God to do the same today. Pray for God’s saving hand in the rescue operations at Aeon mall and elsewhere, and pray that He would minister to those who are suffering.

Listen to the broadcast (top story)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Jul29-2026.mp3

Call to Action

• Pray for God to miraculously save and minister to people affected by the earthquake.
• Pray for God’s hand in the rescue operation at Aeon mall.
• Pray that God would minister to those suffering from the catastrophe.

More Information

• This story by Brennan Berryhill was originally published on 29-Jul-2026 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/7-1-magnitude-earthquake-rattles-japans-kyushu-island-search-for-survivors-ongoing/
  
• Image credits:
  
  • Inset image of a castle in Kumamoto: image courtesy of 貴彦 佐藤 on Pexels

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