A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Kumamoto, Japan on July 28th, killing 38 people, destroying around 700 homes, damaging 12,000 more, and leaving 45,000 residents without running water. Over 8,000 people have been evacuated, and the collapse of a local Aeon Mall was among the most dramatic moments of the disaster. Nintendo has responded with both financial aid and a practical offer for affected players.
Nintendo is providing free repairs for any of its products — Switch, Switch 2, and peripherals — submitted by customers in areas designated under Japan's Disaster Relief Act. The offer runs until February 1, 2027, and applies regardless of warranty status, though Nintendo notes some items may be too damaged to fix. On top of that, the company is donating 50 million yen (roughly $300,000 USD) through the Japanese Red Cross Society. Nintendo joins The Pokémon Company, which donated 100 million yen ($600,000 USD), and Sony, which also contributed 50 million yen to relief efforts.
Kumamoto has been hit hard by major earthquakes before — the region suffered a devastating series of quakes in 2016 that killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands. Recovery this time is further complicated by record-breaking summer heat, which is raising the risk of heatstroke among evacuees, while authorities remain on alert for potential aftershocks as fault lines continue to settle.
Free console repairs are a small gesture in the context of a disaster of this scale, but for displaced families who've lost belongings and are living in evacuation centers, having one less repair bill matters. Nintendo's statement on X expressed condolences to everyone affected and outlined the repair process for eligible customers.
Sources (1)
AI-assisted summary, reviewed by our editors — how we work.
Get the daily digest
Top gaming news in Lithuanian — every day at 9:00.