A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu late on Tuesday afternoon.
“There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it’s a race against time,” Takaichi said. “We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can.”
Takaichi offered her condolences to the victims and sympathy to their relatives, while urging those affected by the quake to take care of themselves under the hot weather.

The quake collapsed the second floor of the Aeon Mall in Kashima Town, trapping people, according to the fire department in the prefectural capital of Kumamoto. Prefectural officials said they were investigating an explosion reportedly from a gas leak.

Don't Miss:
-
Bulgaria probes explosion at weapon storage site
-
39 pupils and staff fall ill after eating school lunches in Sha Tin
-
Farage’s Reform UK gets second record £36 million donation in 48 hours
-
Quality concerns prompt further tests on concrete used in 3 public housing blocks
-
Why PLA’s laser-equipped Type 19 vehicle could matter in a Taiwan conflict

On China’s territorial push, coal’s comeback, and other stories | Asia Sentinel Stories of the Week
Hasina’s Shadow Dogs Bangladesh ties with India
Philippine Power Crisis Gives Coal an Uncomfortable Second Life