Following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto on July 28, 2026, Nintendo has announced a relief initiative to assist affected players. The company will provide free-of-charge repairs for Nintendo consoles and peripherals damaged during the disaster for residents located in areas designated under the Disaster Relief Act.
This policy applies to both the original Nintendo Switch and the newer Nintendo Switch 2. While Nintendo noted that some devices may be damaged beyond repair, the company will waive repair fees regardless of standard warranty status for requests submitted by February 1, 2027.
Disaster Relief Contributions
In addition to hardware support, Nintendo has pledged 50 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid in recovery efforts. The company joins other major industry entities in providing financial assistance to the region, including The Pokémon Company, which donated 100 million yen, and Sony, which also contributed 50 million yen.
The earthquake has resulted in significant infrastructure damage throughout the Kumamoto region, with local authorities reporting 38 deaths and thousands of homes destroyed or impacted. Recovery efforts are currently being challenged by extreme summer heat, with officials remaining on alert for potential aftershocks.