On July 28th, a 6.8 earthquake struck the city of Kumamoto, killing dozens and destroying hundreds of homes. As the region continues to collect itself and recover from the tragedy, many Japanese companies have donated to relief efforts. On top of a financial contribution, Nintendo has also pledged to repair products that may have been damaged.
令和8年熊本地震により被害を受けられました皆様に、心よりお見舞い申し上げます。当社は令和8年熊本地震に伴う災害救助法適用地域の皆様から依頼される当社製品の修理につきまして、2027年2月1日まで無償で対応を行います。また、被災された方々への支援として、日本赤十字社を通じて、義援金5,000万…
— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) August 6, 2026
“We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake,” writes Nintendo. “We will provide free repairs for our products to customers located in areas designated under the Disaster Relief Act due to this earthquake, for requests made up to February 1, 2027. Additionally, to support those affected, we will donate 50 million yen through the Japanese Red Cross Society.”
Just over a week following the disaster, over 8,000 people have been evacuated from devastated areas. It is estimated that 700 homes were destroyed, on top of 12,000 damaged and 45,000 without running water. As of this writing, there are 38 confirmed deaths, including those in the dramatic collapse of the local Aeon Mall.
Japan is sadly no stranger to dangerous earthquakes, but complicating Kumamoto’s recovery is extreme overall weather. Sweltering record breaking summer heat is escalating odds of heatstroke and exhaustion. All of this on top of authorities on standby for any potential aftershocks as the fault lines resettle.
They may be small potatoes in the grand scheme of things, but Nintendo is offering to alleviate one sore spot for those displaced by the earthquake. Individuals in the disaster relief zone can submit damaged Nintendo consoles such as the Switch and Switch 2, and their peripherals, for free-of-charge repair, regardless of warranty. Though Nintendo does acknowledge that some items may be damaged beyond repair.
Nintendo is also donating to disaster relief more directly, committing 50 million yen ($300 thousand USD) to the Red Cross. They join The Pokémon Company, who already donated 100 million yen ($600 thousand USD) and Sony, who contributed 50 million yen as well.
