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PoliticalJapan·31 Aug 2026 · 17h ago

Governor of Japan’s Kumamoto thanks Taiwan for support

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Kumamoto Prefecture Governor Takashi Kimura released a video expressing gratitude to Taiwan for donating over NT$300 million to support recovery efforts following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on July 28 that caused 38 deaths and damaged 43,292 homes. Beyond the government-backed public donations, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. contributed an additional ¥250 million to assist the prefecture. The earthquake significantly disrupted infrastructure, including water services for 108,000 households and various transportation networks, though many services have since resumed or are scheduled for restoration by mid-September.

Consequences

Governor Kimura indicated that increased tourism from Taiwan will be a critical component of the prefecture's economic recovery strategy, highlighting existing direct flights between Kumamoto and four Taiwanese cities. The ongoing reconstruction and relocation efforts remain the primary focus for local authorities as they transition from emergency relief to long-term community rebuilding.

Sources

Taipei Times
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