Kumamoto governor seeks Tokyo aid after quake
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
More than three weeks after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture in late July, the disaster is still disrupting daily life across the area, with more than 3,000 residents unable to return home . On August 18, Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura went to the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo and submitted a petition to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeking central government support for reconstruction and relief . He asked for financial assistance, possible subsidies for affected residents, and support to speed the recovery of local industries including agriculture, forestry and fisheries . The governor also urged rapid improvements to temporary shelters during extreme heat, including securing enough drinking water for evacuees .
Key Points
- Governor Takashi Kimura met Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on August 18 and formally submitted a petition for post-quake reconstruction support .
- Kimura asked the central government for fiscal aid, subsidies for disaster victims, and measures to accelerate recovery in agriculture, forestry and fisheries .
- He stressed that temporary shelters must be improved quickly in the hot weather, with better living conditions and sufficient drinking water for residents .
- Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, who is also from Kumamoto Prefecture, attended the discussion alongside the governor and prime minister .
- Japan's transport ministry has reopened Yatsushiro Port to large cargo ships, aiming to speed up deliveries of relief supplies into Kumamoto .
Why It Matters
The situation shows that even weeks after a major quake, displacement and utility failures can continue to weigh on communities and delay economic recovery . For Hong Kong readers, it is a reminder that post-disaster shelter conditions, water access and transport links are as critical as the initial emergency response .