▲ A ryokan damaged by the Kumamoto earthquake
Local media outlets reported that search and rescue operations have concluded at the shopping mall where an explosion occurred immediately following the strong earthquake in Kumamoto on the 28th of last month.
With searches at other major disaster sites already completed, large-scale search operations related to this strong earthquake have virtually come to an end.
The Kumamoto Prefecture Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of noon yesterday (the 1st), search operations at "Aeon Mall Kumamoto" had concluded, and it plans to focus moving forward on improving conditions at evacuation centers.
Police reportedly decided to end the search operations after visually inspecting the site multiple times, confirming that no one remained inside the building, and noting that no reports had been filed regarding missing persons or individuals whose safety could not be verified.
At Aeon Mall Kumamoto, 7 people were killed and 5 others were injured.
The total death toll from the earthquake compiled so far stands at 36.
Housing damage was tallied at 3,649 homes as of 7:00 PM the previous day, more than doubling from the day before.
Currently, 9,045 people are staying at 218 evacuation centers within Kumamoto.
In Kumamoto Prefecture, due to extreme heat, at least 80 people were transported to hospitals with heatstroke or suspected heatstroke symptoms over the 5-day period from the 28th of last month through the previous day.
As of the previous day, tap water supplies were cut off to 69,400 households within Kumamoto Prefecture, and it was found that even in areas where water is running, the tap water is coming out murky.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated at a meeting of the Kumamoto Earthquake Emergency Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters the previous day that the administration is working toward presenting a timeline for emergency recovery within next week, and asked relevant ministers to "work to restore water and sewage infrastructure as soon as possible."
Prime Minister Takaichi is reportedly coordinating plans to visit Kumamoto Prefecture on the 3rd to inspect the affected areas.
Meanwhile, the prolonged suspension of operations at automobile manufacturer plants located in Kumamoto due to the earthquake is causing disruptions in parts supply.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Honda's Kumamoto Plant—a motorcycle production facility located in Ozu-machi, Kumamoto—has suspended operations due to damage from the earthquake, and resumption is projected to be after the 17th of this month.
The Kumamoto Plant is Honda's sole domestic motorcycle production hub in Japan, producing 320,000 units annually.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun also reported that the suspension of operations at another automaker's parts plant is spreading its impact even to Honshu.
Aisin, a Toyota Motor-affiliated parts supplier, has also suspended operations due to earthquake damage.
Although restoration work has begun, the specific timeline for resuming operations remains undetermined.
Because the company supplies parts to other automakers in addition to Toyota, the impact is expected to grow further.
Mitsubishi Motors has suspended production of certain vehicle models at its Mizushima Plant in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, due to delays in parts supply.
Toyota decided to suspend operations at its Tahara Plant in Aichi Prefecture through the 7th, and also extended the suspension of operations at its three plants in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, until late into the night on the 5th.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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