2026 Kumamoto Earthquake: Government Strengthens Rescue, Aid and Recovery

On July 30, 2026, Prime Minister Takaichi attended the third 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake Emergency Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters meeting at the Prime Minister's Office and presented the damage situation and the government's response policy.

In addition to deaths, injuries, and building damage, the earthquake caused water outages, power outages, suspended gas supplies, communications failures, suspended rail operations, and expressway closures, forcing disaster victims to endure difficult living conditions.

While making lifesaving and rescue operations the top priority, the government will simultaneously advance emergency measures, the restoration of essential services, and support for evacuees through close coordination with local governments.

As evacuation life continues amid extreme heat, the risk of heatstroke is increasing, and access to air conditioning, water, bathing, and fuel will determine disaster victims' health and safety. Extreme heat is also expected through the weekend, making improvements to shelter conditions an urgent task.

Support is needed for people continuing to sleep in their vehicles and for those who have difficulty purchasing daily necessities; restoring fuel transport and reopening convenience stores are directly linked to maintaining daily life.

A system in which local governments and the national government coordinate rescue operations, infrastructure restoration, and supply distribution will help ease disaster victims' anxiety and provide a foundation for rebuilding community life and livelihoods.

A local disaster countermeasures headquarters has been established at the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office to share local needs with affected municipalities. The police, fire services, Self-Defense Forces, and Japan Coast Guard will continue lifesaving and rescue operations, while the ministries secure necessary supplies and restore electricity, water, and other essential services.

Power supply vehicles have been dispatched since the day before yesterday so that air conditioners can be used in shelters. Power outage restoration is being advanced with support from Kyushu Electric Power and electric power companies nationwide, and Kyushu Electric Power is expected to present an outlook for early restoration in the affected areas today. Power supply vehicles will be deployed where and when needed.

Water supply support from across Japan will be expanded, and efforts will be accelerated to identify the causes of supply disruptions and present restoration outlooks. Push-based assistance, water, water trucks, water distribution by the Self-Defense Forces, Japan Coast Guard, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and other organizations, as well as bathing assistance by the Self-Defense Forces, will be strengthened.

The difficulties faced by evacuees sleeping in their vehicles will be identified in detail, and fuel oil will be supplied so that air conditioners can be used inside vehicles. The oil depot in Yatsushiro City is expected to be able to ship fuel from today, and land transport routes and sufficient supply volumes will be secured in coordination with the police and other agencies.

To reopen convenience stores that are not operating, the government will prioritize employee safety while working with each company to eliminate power outages and facilitate the smooth transport of supplies. The ministries will pool their resources through the disaster victim daily-life support and livelihood-rebuilding support team launched yesterday.