Japan's emperor, empress to visit quake-hit Kumamoto in late September

Japan's Emperor and Empress are scheduled to pay a visit to Kumamoto Prefecture in late September, according to sources. The Imperial couple will travel to the region by a specially chartered aircraft from Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Their primary objective is to meet with disaster victims in Yatsushiro, Hikawa and Uki, areas that were severely affected by the July 2018 Kumamoto Earthquake.

Upon arrival, the Emperor and Empress plan to express their gratitude towards those involved in the disaster response efforts. The Imperial Household Agency notes that the Emperor and Empress are feeling a deep sense of distress due to Kumamoto Prefecture having to endure further damage, given that it was still recovering from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.

The Empress, in particular, expressed a wish to visit the evacuation shelters, where many are struggling amid the intense heat. She mentioned a desire to offer condolences to the residents, once the appropriate timing could be determined. The Imperial Household Agency is currently coordinating with prefectural officials to monitor the progress of recovery and reconstruction efforts by local governments.