Japan now – vol.11

=====================
Japan now – vol.11
=====================
There was a huge earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 in Kumamoto Prefecture at around 9:26 p.m. JST, April 14th. Continuously the second earthquake of 7.0 moment magnitude occurred at 01:25 a.m. JST, April 16th.

Many houses have collapsed and some people were trapped under debris and fire also has occurred. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately set up an emergency headquarters and flew to visit a temporary shelter in the village of Minamiaso, one of the hardest-hit communities in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Currently a total of 48 people died as a result of the quakes in Kumamoto. More than ten others are in a critical condition due to health problems caused by high stress and fatigue.

Tens of thousands of people who evacuated their homes have still not been able to return, having taken refuge in gyms and other facilities converted into temporary shelters and spending in their cars.

Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe promised that the central government will do its utmost to help relieve the survivors’ anxiety and reconstruct the devastated areas by financial and other support measures in a meeting with Kumamoto Govenor, Ikuo Kabashima. Furthermore, Kumamoto Gov. asked for Tokyo’s support in repairing the badly damaged Kumamoto-jo Castle as well.

MIJC would like to offer our sincere condolences and sympathy for victims and their families, and the people having a severe time in Kumamoto city, sister city of San Antonio and all other Kyushu region hit by the earthquake.

We will donate as much as possible and sincerely hope your support for Kumamoto and Kyushu region through some agencies or organizations, such as Japanese Red Cross Society, in the same way as when the Great East Japan Earthquake in Tohoku region.

Thank you very much.