Kumamoto Prefecture, located on the southwestern island of Japan, experienced an unprecedented deluge of over 400mm of rainfall in just half a day. The record-breaking downpour has led to substantial flooding throughout the area. It is currently unclear how many residents have been affected or what the total damage costs are. Local authorities, along with the Japan Meteorological Agency, continue to monitor the situation closely.

Extreme weather events, particularly heavy rainfalls, are not uncommon in Japan due to its geographical location. When such events occur, the Japanese government and its people take it very seriously due to the potential for landslides, flooding, and subsequent damage and casualties. Emergency evacuations, as well as community and national level crisis responses, are typically swift.

In comparison to the US or the EU, Japan's response to such extreme weather events is often seen as more timely and efficient, possibly due to the frequency of such events. However, the high population density, particularly in urban areas, can make rescue operations challenging.