Minister Kaneko’s Press Conference Summary
Overview
Following chimney collapses in the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is working with relevant ministries and agencies to investigate the damage and deterioration of similar chimneys nationwide. Because submission of the survey forms has been delayed, prompt reporting is requested, and the results will be made public once reports have been submitted and compiled. The findings will be used by prefectures and others to urge owners to ensure safety, including through emergency repairs to chimneys where damage or deterioration has been confirmed. Going forward, based on verification of the causes of the collapses by an expert committee, measures such as seismic assessments and retrofits, as well as safety measures for chimneys outside the survey scope, will be considered.
Key points
- The survey results will be made public once reports have been submitted and the results have been compiled.
- The survey results will be used for emergency repairs and other measures concerning chimneys where damage or deterioration has been confirmed.
- After verifying the causes of the collapses, measures such as seismic assessments and retrofits will be implemented.
- Safety measures for chimneys outside the scope, including those no higher than 60 m, will also be considered as necessary in the future.
Overview
Following damage caused by chimney collapses in the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is working with relevant ministries and agencies to investigate the damage and deterioration of similar chimneys nationwide. The survey covers reinforced-concrete chimneys over 60 m in height.
Impact
The survey results will be used when prefectures and others urge owners to ensure immediate safety for chimneys where damage or deterioration has been confirmed.
Details
The survey deadline is September 7, but some operators have needed additional time to confirm damage conditions and other matters, delaying submission of the survey forms. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is requesting prompt reports and will make the results public once reports have been submitted and the results have been compiled.
This survey does not include questions about whether seismic assessments have been conducted or about seismic resistance. The scope was established because all of the chimneys that collapsed this time were reinforced-concrete structures over 60 m high, taller chimneys experience more complex earthquake-induced motion, and the Building Standards Act strengthened seismic standards in 2007 for chimneys over 60 m high.
The causes of the collapses will be verified by an expert committee, and necessary measures such as seismic assessments and retrofits will be considered based on its findings. Safety measures will also be considered, as necessary, for chimneys outside the survey scope, including those no higher than 60 m. Regarding whether nationwide chimneys should undergo another seismic survey if the cause of the Nippon Paper Industries chimney collapse is found to be failure to meet current seismic standards, no decision has been indicated at this point, and the judgment of the expert committee will be awaited.