On April 18, 2016, President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Emperor Akihito of Japan over the violent earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture of Japan.

Xi Jinping expressed that I was shocked to learn about the violent earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture of your country that caused heavy causalities and loss of property. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend profound condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. I sincerely hope the Japanese people will overcome the difficulties and rebuild the homeland at an early date.