Kumamoto Unveils Disaster Drill, Global Partnerships, and Strategic Reforms

On October 11, Kumamoto Prefecture held a press conference to unveil several new regional initiatives, including a large-scale disaster preparedness drill for the Nankai Trough Earthquake, international exchange programs with France and the United States, and two newly certified projects under Japan's National Strategic Special Zone framework.

Nankai Trough Earthquake Drill

Kumamoto led this year's regional disaster preparedness drill in cooperation with other Kyushu prefectures and Yamaguchi Prefecture. The exercise focused on coordinated disaster relief efforts in anticipation of a potential Nankai Trough Earthquake—a major seismic event with a high probability of impacting southern Japan, particularly Miyazaki Prefecture.

In that training, they use SOBO-WEB, a new nationwide disaster information platform modeled after the U.S. EEI system. The platform enables real-time sharing of damage reports and response coordination.

Additionally, TOYOTA's advanced mapping system was deployed to visualize road damage, allowing for faster initial response and recovery planning.

International Exchange with France and the United States

Delegations from Dijon Métropole (France) and the State of Montana (USA) will visit Kumamoto in October.

Kumamoto recently signed its first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a European region—Dijon Métropole—marking a milestone in its international outreach.The French delegation will participate in the Dijon fair and the Japan-France Joint Symposium 2025.

In additon, the Montana delegation, including the Governor and his wife, will make their first official visit to Kumamoto, touring local landmarks and meeting with Kumamoto's Governor.

Strategic Special Zone Projects

Kumamoto's two new initiatives have been certified under Japan's National Strategic Special Zone program:

1. Startup Support Center:

Kumamoto will establish a one-stop center to simplify procedures for launching new businesses. Entrepreneurs will be able to complete all necessary registrations and filings with expert assistance.

2. Expanded Foreign Worker Access in Household Services:

The prefecture will relax existing regulations to allow more foreign workers to be employed in household support services. Previously, such employment was limited to diplomats and highly skilled professionals. The reform aims to address labor shortages and improve service availability for residents.

Governor's Remarks

During the Q&A session, Governor Kabashima commented on the appointment of Sanae Takaichi as the new president of the Liberal Democratic Party. He expressed hope that she would pursue national policy with decisiveness and responsiveness to citizen needs.

Regarding the proposed railway access between Kumamoto City and Kumamoto Airport, the governor emphasized the importance of securing national subsidies to fund the project. He also noted that the prefecture is currently reviewing the financial feasibility of the rail line.