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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako Visit Kumamoto After July 28 Quake
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Imperial Couple’s On-Site Tour
The Emperor and Empress departed Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on a special flight, arriving at Kumamoto Airport around 11:30 a.m. They transferred to a Self-Defense Forces helicopter that carried them to a temporary heliport on a riverbank in Yatsushiro. After disembarking, the imperial pair bowed silently toward the areas most devastated by the July 28 earthquake, including the Nippon Paper Industries Yatsushiro plant where a chimney collapse killed nine people. From the helicopter they also observed the Aeon Mall Kumamoto facility in Kashima, where an explosion after the quake claimed seven lives.
Earthquake Damage Overview
The July 28 tremor reached the maximum seismic intensity level of 7 on the Japanese scale in Hikawa and Uki. The Kumamoto Prefectural Government reports a total death toll of 38, including indirectly caused fatalities. Approximately 72,000 homes were damaged, of which about 9,700 were destroyed or heavily damaged, and roughly 1,400 residents remain in evacuation centers.
Relief Facilities and Community Interaction
In Yatsushiro the imperial couple visited a shelter currently housing about 80 evacuees. Empress Masako spoke with 82-year-old resident Koichi Tomita and his wife, noting the difficulty of the summer heat. The visit highlighted the ongoing need for medical, firefighting, and volunteer support in the disaster zone.
Official Responses
Governor Takashi Kimura accompanied the Emperor and Empress, providing on-board explanations of the Nippon Paper plant damage and the Kashima mall explosion. He emphasized the Imperial family’s intention to console those affected and to thank the many individuals engaged in relief and support activities, including medical professionals and firefighters.
Ongoing Recovery Context
The quake struck while reconstruction from the massive April 2016 earthquakes was still in progress. This visit marks the Imperial couple’s first trip to a disaster-hit area since their December 2024 journey to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, after severe rains. The presence of the Emperor and Empress underscores national solidarity as Kumamoto continues its long-term recovery efforts.