Foreign nationals support one another following quake in Kumamoto

Foreign nationals in Kumamoto Prefecture, hit by a major earthquake last month, are helping each other despite language barriers and cultural differences. In Yatsushiro, where the quake measured 6 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, a vehicle carrying emergency supplies arrived in front of an apartment housing many foreign trainees.

Around 30 people welcomed the delivery, with a 22-year-old Indonesian woman expressing her gratitude for the food. The relief was provided by the Vietnamese association in Kumamoto, which offers consultations on daily life to Vietnamese expats in the region. Association leader Le Thi Tram explained that unlike in Vietnam, people in Japan often go to evacuation centers, but language barriers prevent many foreigners from doing so.

Following the quake, many Vietnamese residents spent the night outdoors due to fears of building collapse. The association, founded in 2022, has connected with about 300 Vietnamese residents in Kumamoto and began delivering supplies after being contacted by those in need. On Aug. 6, the group delivered food and water to around 200 foreign residents across Yatsushiro and Uki.

Tram and other volunteers aim to address the challenges faced by foreign residents in getting public support, emphasizing the importance of evacuation.