Nintendo has announced that it will repair hardware damaged by the Noto Peninsula earthquake free of charge.
In an announcement on the official Nintendo website (which is in Japanese; we're using a machine translation verified by a Japanese speaker), Nintendo says it will carry out repairs for customers living in areas in which the Noto earthquake has prompted the application of the Disaster Relief Act.
Several Nintendo products are eligible for free out-of-warranty repairs, although many, including certain 3DS models, are not. There's a full list of what can't be repaired right here.
Nintendo says it will repair hardware damaged by the devastating earthquake between now and July 1st, and that "as a general rule", it will offer free repairs whether or not the hardware is within its warranty period.
Of course, Nintendo still has final say over whether the product will be repaired or not, and some faults may be more difficult to repair than others.
Affected customers can apply through Nintendo's online repair service, where they'll need to provide information about their repair along with a marker stating that it's a Noto earthquake-related repair.
Alternatively, customers can apply via post, enclosing the following information: name, address, telephone number, product and details of its defect, and indication that it was damaged by the earthquake.
This isn't the only Nintendo-adjacent charity initiative to be launched in the wake of the catastrophic Noto peninsula earthquake.
Earlier this month, The Pokemon Company pledged 50 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross and various other relief organizations to help affected areas.
The Noto Peninsula earthquake struck Japan on New Year's Day, causing many deaths and injuries, principally in the cities of Wajima and Suzu.
Over two hundred people have lost their lives as a result of the earthquake and many buildings have been destroyed or damaged, but certain schools are beginning to reopen and garbage collection is resuming in some areas, according to the Associated Press.
Let's hope that ongoing relief efforts can help to bring some semblance of normality back to the lives of people in the Noto Peninsula soon.
