Kumamoto Marks 9 Years Since 2016 Quakes, Honors 278 Victims With 1:25 a.m. Memorial

Kumamoto Prefecture marked the ninth anniversary of the 2016 earthquakes, which included two major tremors reaching the highest level of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale. The first quake, a magnitude 6.5, struck on April 14, 2016, followed by a magnitude 7.3 mainshock on April 16. The disaster resulted in 278 deaths, including 220 disaster-related fatalities, and forced around 196,000 people to evacuate. Approximately 43,000 buildings were damaged across Kumamoto and neighboring Oita Prefecture. On April 16, 2025, memorial ceremonies and moments of silence, including at 1:25 a.m., were held across the region, such as in Minamiaso and Mashiki, where 45 people lost their lives. Families of those lost, including relatives of university students and Akira Yamato, who died in a landslide near the collapsed Aso Bridge, gathered at the sites to pay tribute. Survivors and bereaved families continue to share their experiences and the lessons learned from the disaster. Akira Yamato's mother expressed that the nine years since losing her son have been difficult and that remembering his suffering is a form of comfort. Since the earthquakes, significant progress has been made in reconstruction. The new Aso Bridge was completed four years after the disaster, and the Minamiaso Railway fully resumed operations two years ago. Restoration of Aso Shrine was finished in December 2024. Repairs to Kumamoto Castle, which suffered severe damage, are expected to be completed by fiscal 2052. The tourism sector, previously hit hard, has rebounded, with visitor numbers in Aso City surpassing pre-earthquake levels. Kumamoto has focused on passing on the memory and lessons of the earthquakes, including through educational tours and the Kumamoto Earthquake Disaster Museum. The region has also supported other disaster-hit areas, such as the Noto Peninsula, by sharing recovery know-how. The high proportion of disaster-related deaths highlights the ongoing need for disaster preparedness and support for affected families.