1 Month after Kumamoto Earthquake: Steadily Rebuild the Lives of Those Affected

Exactly one month has passed since the Kumamoto Earthquake, registering a maximum of 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale. Residents affected by the disaster are now focusing on cleaning up their homes as electricity and gas services have been restored, while disruptions to the water supply are expected to be resolved by the end of the month.

However, over 2,000 people continue to reside in evacuation centers, and cases of suspected disaster-related deaths have already emerged, particularly among those sleeping in their cars during hot days exceeding 35°C.

The Japanese government has stepped in to provide financial assistance to households with completely or partially destroyed houses and plans to subsidize the construction of public housing for disaster victims. This is to help those return to their normal lives as soon as possible by securing housing, restoring workplaces and school buildings, among other things.

Unfortunately, the situation remains grim. Scam contractors are visiting homes, proposing expensive repairs, and crimes targeting vacant homes have surged. Moreover, suspicious social media posts and images attempting to exploit people's sympathy by posing as bereaved families have come to light. These despicable acts must not be allowed to further burden the victims.

Additionally, safety management issues have arisen in commercial facilities and factories. In the case of Aeon Mall Kumamoto, a gas leak led to an explosion, causing the death of seven employees. Similarly, Nippon Paper Industries Co.’s Yatsushiro Mill saw a collapsed chimney, claiming nine lives, including employees. Questions arise regarding the functionality of emergency gas shut-off valves and alarms, and whether there were any oversights in seismic reinforcement assessments.

Moving forward, it is crucial for authorities to conduct thorough inspections in commercial facilities and factories to prevent such calamities from happening again.