Tokyo, July 29 -- Vietnamese representative agencies in Japan have swiftly activated citizen protection measures following a powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto prefecture on July 28 afternoon. The earthquake, measuring around 7.0 magnitude, occurred at around 04:27pm local time, causing casualties and property damage in the affected areas. Following instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam's representative offices in Japan immediately contacted local authorities through the international affairs divisions of Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Oita and Miyazaki prefectures, as well as Vietnamese community associations in the affected areas, to assess the situation and stand ready to provide timely assistance for Vietnamese citize...