Summary Report on the Kyushu Earthquakes of April 14and 16, 2016
Compiled on April 25, 2016 (updated April 29, 2016)
ByJames Goltz
Visiting Research Professor
Disaster Prevention Research InstituteKyoto University
The report that follows is based on news media reports in English language
newspapers, JMA and USGS reports and NHK World television. In some cases, thesereports cite city and prefectural government reports in the affected region andothers are based on the observations of reporters on site. The report is divided into
sections based on topic.
Seismology/Geology
Initial earthquake (foreshock): JMA M6.5 (USGS M6.2) occurred at 9:26 PM Japan
Standard Time, April 14, 2016. Lat. 32.7, Long. 130.8E. Depth 10km, region
Kumamoto‐ken, Kumamoto‐chiho. Maximum JMA Intensity 7 (highest on theintensity scale).
Significant aftershocks of the April 14 event:
10:07 PM
10:38 PM
11:43 PM
12:03 AM

4‐14 M5.7 Intensity 6‐
M5.05‐
M5.0
44‐15 M6.46+

In addition to these large aftershocks, there were:M4.0 to M4.9
M3.0 to M3.9

1213JMA 4JMA 3‐4Mainshock: JMA M7.3 (USGS M7.0) occurred at 1:25 AM Japan Standard Time, April
16, 2016. Lat. 32.8, long. 130.7E. Depth 10km, Region Kumamoto‐ken. Maximum
JMA Intensity 6+, mechanism‐strike‐slip. News reports indicated that theearthquake occurred on the Futagawa fault.
Significant aftershocks of the April 16 event:
1:46 AM
3:55 AMApril 16

M6.0 JMA Intensity 6‐
M5.86+
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9:48 AM

M5.46‐The Japan Times, citing the JMA, reported on April 29, 2016 that to date over 1,000
earthquakes have occurred in Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures since the initial eventat 9:26 PM on April 14. The article, again citing the JMA, reported that the total
number of earthquakes in all of Japan last year was 1,842.
Surface Rupture and Liquefaction: surface rupture was observed as was liquefaction
along rivers and in other areas of the impact zone.
Aftershock Warnings: The JMA, which routinely issues aftershock probabilities
following a mainshock, reportedly provided warnings after the 4‐14 event but
discontinued doing so after the mainshock of 4‐16. According to a Yomiuri Shimbun
article that appeared on 4‐21, the JMA released a statement following the 4‐14 M6.5
event stating that there was a 20% probability of aftershocks measuring lower 6 orhigher. The rationale for cessation of aftershock forecasts, according to the article
was that the JMA felt that past occurrences of aftershock sequences were notproviding adequate guidance as they have in the past.
Basic Situation Statistics
Impact Areas: Kumamoto City, Mashiki and Minami‐Aso. There are other towns inKumamoto and Oita prefectures but these are the areas most often mentioned innews reports.
Fatalities: 49 as a direct effect of the earthquakes, 16 additional fatalities indirectly
attributed to the earthquake and 1 person is missing in Minami‐Aso.
Injuries:1,100, no breakdown in terms of severity at the time of this report.
Displaced: the number of evacuees reported has fluctuated considerable from as low
as 80,000 to a high of 180,000. On 4‐24, the Japan Times cited “government reports”
of 89,513 evacuees in Kumamoto Prefecture and 637 from Oita Prefecture. NHK
World TV reported on April 28, 2016 that there are currently 38,000 people
currently sheltered in Kumamoto Prefecture. On 4‐29‐16, the Japan Times reported
that the current number of evacuees is 30,000.
Shelters: There are 623 official shelters as reported by the Yomiuri Shimbun on 4‐21
mainly public buildings and schools. At least three ferry boats serve as shelters andthe Kumamoto Prison was opened to evacuees where 250 people were sheltered asof 4‐21.
Building Damage: The Japan Times cited a Kumamoto Prefectural Government
report that 10,271 building were damaged. Another article cited an official
Kumamoto Prefectural Government report that 1,526 houses were totally destroyed.

2In addition 4 government buildings in Yatsushiro, Uto, Hitoyoshi and Mashiki havebeen severely damaged and cannot be occupied.
Mutual Aid: The national government has deployed 26,000 Self Defense Armypersonnel to the region. The US base in Okinawa has dispatched 4 MV‐22 Ospreys
which delivered 20 tons of relief supplies (food, water and blankets) to Minami‐Aso.
Volunteers: Approximately 700 people have registered with government agencies in
the impact region, the first of whom were registered on April 22nd. They will assist
in the distribution of food and supplies at the evacuation centers, clear debris andhelp clean up homes.
Specific Incidents and Issues
Shinkansen Derailment: A Shinkansen train and 6 cars derailed while traveling at
approximately 80 kph between Shin‐Minimata and Kumamoto in the April 14 M6.5
foreshock. No passengers were on board and the driver was not injured. The trainand cars are expected to be cleared and this stretch of the railway opened on April
28. The Japan Times reported on 4‐29‐16 that the Kyushu Shinkansen has resumed
all services in Kyushu.
Transportation Impacts: As of 4‐29‐16, the Kyushu Expressway is expected to beopened by Friday 4‐29, but many secondary roads in Kumamoto Prefecture are still
blocked by debris and landslides per Japan Times 4‐29‐16. Blockages exist at 295
locations in the prefecture.
Conditions at the Shelters: Conditions at the shelters have been a subject of nearly
daily news reports. There are 623 officially recognized shelters mostly in publicbuildings. Some shelters are extremely crowded, and are inadequately provided
with potable water, food and blankets. While many evacuees have homes that are
uninhabitable, others have evacuated due to utility outages and lack of adequate
food and water supplies at home. A large number of people have evacuated to theircars due to fear that ongoing aftershocks will cause their houses to collapse, giving
rise to concerns among health care professionals that some of these people whospend lengthy periods of time confined to their cars will develop blood clots that
could cause death, this situation has been referred to as “economy class syndrome.”
Nearly 100 people have been diagnosed with or suspected to have so-called economy
class syndrome, caused by prolonged inactivity, according to a Kyodo News Survey(Japan Times, 4-29-16). Some evacuees have chosen to remain in their cars because
pets are not permitted in the shelters. NHK TV reported outbreaks of Norovirus at
one the evacuation centers in Minami‐Aso and health officials are concerned about
the disease spreading.
Temporary Housing: The Kumamoto prefectural government has decided to securesome 4,200 temporary housing units, half through construction and the other half by3

renting, using a supplementary budget of ¥36.6 billion for fiscal 2016 (Japan Times, 429-16).
Weather in the Region: Search and rescue/recovery and activities in response to theearthquakes has been hampered by persistent rain causing concern that further
landslides will be triggered, particularly in mountainous Minami‐Aso, one of thehardest hit areas. An Asahi Shimbun article on 4‐22 reported that 1000 people (500households) had been ordered to evacuate due to possible flooding. The rain has
also resulted in lengthy confinement of people who have evacuated in their cars
prompting increased concern that they will develop “economy class syndrome.”
Impacts on Schools: Between April 19 and 23rd, 1,267 school buildings at 163
locations were inspected for damage. A total of 134 locations had buildings thatwere “red tagged” meaning that they were considered dangerous and unusable.
Another 354 sites had buildings that were “yellow tagged” meaning “cautionneeded.” (Asahi Shimbun, April 26).
Disabled and Special Needs Persons: In 2012, Kumamoto signed agreements with176 social welfare facilities that accommodate the elderly, disabled and others withspecial needs in the event of a disaster. But following the earthquakes of 4‐14 and 4‐
16, only 34 of these facilities were able to accept special needs evacuees. Thesefacilities were expected to take in 1,700 evacuees. Damage to these facilities, utility
outages and staff shortages were blamed for the inability to accept more special
needs evacuees. Recently, volunteers have been assigned to these facilities thatshould ease some of the difficulties. (Asahi Shimbun, 4‐27)
Damage to Historic Sites:‐Asojinja Shrine: Destroyed were its worship hall and main gate. The gate has been
designated and “important cultural property” and is one of three famed “Romon”
two‐story temples and shrine gate structures in Japan. There are plans to rebuild it.
‐Kumamoto Castle: Drones were employed to do a damage assessment ofKumamoto Castle’s main tower because on‐site inspection is too dangerous due tocontinuing aftershocks. Engineers noted damage to the supporting foundation of thecastle due to use of smaller stones and a 1960 reconstruction of the main tower was
thought responsible for damage due to use of steel reinforced concrete rather thanwood (used in the original construction) that made the structure heavier and lessflexible. The castle also lost most of its roof tiles as well as “shachihoko” a fabled fishroof ornament.
School Closures: approximately 150,000 children were unable to attend classes on
Monday April 25 due to damage to schools and the use of schools for evacuation
centers.

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Business Impacts
Business Interruption
Toyota suspended production at most of its factories (15) in Japan due to scarcity ofparts with cascading effects on other manufacturers.
Honda’s motorcycle plant in Kumamoto was severely damaged in the earthquakes.
Sony reported a fourth-quarter loss after booking a charge against its chip business anddelayed giving a full-year forecast to assess damage from an earthquake that shut its main
plant for camera sensors. The net loss was ¥88.3 billion in the quarter ended March, theTokyo-based company said Thursday. Sony, which also recorded its first full-year profit
in three years, will probably see annual net income in the current fiscal period climb to¥212.2 billion, according to the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Operationsat its Sony’s Kumamoto facility remained suspended after this month’s earthquakes on
Kyushu, with some parts to reopen at the end of May. The company has said there’s beendamage to the building, clean rooms and equipment. The facility is the primary
manufacturing site for image sensors used in digital and security cameras as well as
micro-display devices. (Japan Times, 4-29-16; Associated Press, 4-29-16)
Renesas Electronics Corp. in Kumamoto was closed for safety evaluation
particularly for dangerous gases used to maintain antiseptic conditions for chipproduction.
Japans Nikkei 225 stock index fell by 3% on Monday April 18, in addition:
Toyota was down 4.8%
Nissan was down by 2.8%
Sony down by 6.8%
The above are from an Associated Press report that appeared on 4‐18. The report,
which focused on business interruption, also noted that Kyushu is home to about
25% of Japans semi‐conductor production. Kyushu is known as “Silicon Island.” Theisland also has auto, steel and ship manufacturers.
The earthquakes impact on business (losses and impacts on supply chains) will
depend on how long factories are closed
Insurance: According to the Insurance Information Institute, earthquake damage inKyushu is not likely to have a significant impact on insurance pricing nor will it
cause insurers or modeling companies to reassess their catastrophe models.
Tourism: According to an Asahi Shimbun article on April 21st, tourist numbers inKyushu have plunged since the earthquake disaster. China and Hong Kong have5

issued travel warnings against visiting Kyushu according to the Japan TouristAgency. Fukuoka, Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures have also observed declines
in visitors. The Camellia Line ferry, which makes a daily round trip between BusanPort in South Korea and Hakata Port in Fukuoka reported 2,400 cancellations afterApril 14. Areas within Kyushu that are popular tourist destinations including Mt.
Aso, which receives about 16 million visitors per year will experience declines due
to damage to many of the inns and businesses that cater to visitors. Also, theAsojinjja Shrine and the Kumamoto castle, also popular with tourists have been
severely damaged and will be closed for lengthy periods of time. Golden Week
during which many Japanese people take vacations, begins on Friday April 29.
New Legislation: The central government adopted an ordinance Thursday (4-28) for
extending deadlines for some administrative procedures, including updating driving
licenses. Among the more than 200 special measures expected to be launched based on
the ordinance is one to freeze bankruptcy procedures for companies that went bust due tothe earthquakes for a maximum of two years. The measure is designed to prevent chainreaction bankruptcies (Japan Times, 4-29-16).
Issues cited in Editorials
Citing the conditions at the shelters, Kumamoto prefectural government wascriticized for poor planning and failure to conduct adequate needs assessments
resulting in shortages of food, water and other necessities at the evacuation centers(Yomiuri Shimbun, 4‐19).
Editorial writer expressed concern about health impacts on the evacuees andadvocated the movement of vulnerable people—the elderly, people with disabilities
and infants to neighboring jurisdictions that have offered publicly run housing freeof charge. The article also urged better information sharing, particularly about thestatus of the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant run by Kyushu Electric Power Company.
(Yomiuri Shimbun, 420)
Editorial emphasizes health impacts of evacuation and that conditions at theevacuation centers will result in stress and fatigue, leading to illness and possiblydeath. Noted that 80% of the post‐earthquake fatalities following the 2004 Chuetsu
earthquake were due to the effects of long‐term evacuation. (Yomiuri Shimbun, 4‐19)
This article was critical of local government due to the severe damage to municipal
buildings and hospitals that are critical to an effective disaster response. The writer
identified several such buildings including the Uto Municipal Government buildingthat was in danger of collapse, the Uto Disaster Control headquarters that was badly
damaged and personnel were forced to respond to the earthquake from tents, andKumamoto Hospital which was forced to move patients to other hospitals. (YomiuriShimbun, 4‐16)

6This editorial was critical of the Japan Railway for the derailment of a Shinkansen
train and 6 cars. The writer noted that “derailment prevention guards” had beeninstalled in some areas but not the stretch of track where the train derailed andcalled for a more aggressive program of hazard mitigation for the Shinkansen which
travel at high speeds and usually have large numbers of passengers. (Japan Times, 4‐23)

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