Kumamoto Earthquake Experience Project - KEEP

24/02/2025

On Saturday, February 22nd, KEEP participated in a disaster prevention and multicultural coexistence event in Kurume. We shared insights on the experiences of foreign residents during the Kumamoto earthquakes and the ongoing challenges they face in preparing for disasters. Sakumoto-sensei, a Japanese language instructor, discussed the importance of easy Japanese and how to communicate more effectively with foreign residents.

Events like this—where foreign and Japanese residents work together to address disaster preparedness from multiple perspectives—are essential for building stronger, more resilient communities in Kurume, Kumamoto, and across Japan.

13/02/2025

KEEP member Andrew Mitchell, along with two other speakers, spoke at Kumamoto International Foundation yesterday to students from Waseda University's GLFP Program. They heard about the experience of foreign residents during the Kumamoto earthquakes, issues foreign workers face in Kumamoto, and about integration efforts and remaining challenges.

17/01/2025

Today marks 30 years since the Great Hanshin Earthquake, a disaster which killed 6434 people. A memorial service was held in Kobe this morning and at 05:46, the time when the earthquake struck, silent prayers were offered in remembrance.

The earthquake triggered widespread changes in disaster management in Japan, changes such as giving the Japanese Self-Defense Forces the legal mandate to deploy forces quickly to help those in need.

If you have not visited Kobe, it is close to Osaka and easy to get there for a day trip. The Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum is also well worth a visit, giving visitors an in-depth look at what happened on that cold January morning.

We can't predict when the next disaster will strike and we can't prevent it. But we can prepare for it. While the government has taken many steps to improve its disaster response, you will have to rely on yourself in the moments during and after a disaster, so please prepare accordingly.

Let's KEEP together!

Having outlined the Self-Defense Forces' active role and support for victims, the government now aims to set up a new central agency for disaster relief.

13/01/2025

There has just been a fairly strong earthquake in Miyazaki, with automatic earthquakes sounding on smartphones in Kumamoto city.

There should be no risk in Kumamoto for now as the shaking was relatively light. But please make sure you have your disaster bag etc. in an easily accessible place just in case.

If you are in Miyazaki please look on NHK World or other news outlets for further information.

07/01/2025

This article discussed a new translation system which takes account of things like place names when translating.

As anybody who has used translation software will know, Japanese place names can be very badly translated. For example, Kumamoto University's Kurokami (黒髪) campus can sometimes be translated as Black Hair campus, which is meaningless unless you understand why the translation software made that mistake.

It is good to see the development of such apps to aid in the quick and accurate transmission of disaster information during disasters, freeing staff members to help those affected by the disaster in more practical ways.

Konica Minolta Inc. has developed a system that automatically translates information on disasters and evacuation into foreign languages and will release the system to local governments in fiscal 2025.

06/01/2025

There is a growing recognition in Japan of the need to provide disaster information and training to non-Japanese residents. This Japan Times article highlights how different regions are preparing to assist both foreign residents and tourists in times of disaster. Measures include disaster training programs and multilingual apps designed to deliver critical information quickly.

The earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on Jan. 1 highlighted the need to help foreign nationals who do not speak Japanese be more informed.

02/01/2025

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Services were held to remember those who lost their lives during the earthquake and in the chaos it caused.

Although the new year is, and should be, a cause for celebration, it is also important to remember the risks that all residents of Japan face 24/7 and to make sure we are as prepared as we can be. Disasters can strike anytime and anywhere. We cannot spend our lives thinking about what might happen, but we should do our best to be prepared for disaster in case it does happen.

All the best to everyone for the new year, let's KEEP together!

The death toll from the New Year's Day quake came to 504, including those who died during evacuation or from other indirect causes.

19/12/2024

In October this year, KEEP took part in a disaster training seminar held in Kumamoto city for foreign residents, with attendees coming from across the prefecture. It is good to see other prefectures across Japan also doing similar things for their foreign residents.

YAMAGATA — An annual event to educate foreign residents about how to respond when a disaster strikes was held at a natural disaster prevention center in Yamagata on Nov. 30.

19/12/2024

KEEP will be speaking in Kurume on the 22nd February 2025 about disaster prevention for foreign residents and cultural coexistence. An expert in Easy Japanese will also give a talk.

Please check the preliminary flyer below for details (a higher resolution one will be posted in the near future) and please feel free to attend if you are interested.

30/10/2024

During his recent appearance on Kumamoto Kenmin Television (KKT), KEEP member Andrew Mitchell spoke about the essential items he keeps in his emergency bag. These items, based on his experiences during Kumamoto's earthquakes and typhoons, are what he considers essential should disaster strike again.

- Snacks and water: essential for the period before aid becomes available

- Approximately 4,000 yen in coins: buy necessities if any shops are open

- A change of clothes: including socks and underwear

- Basic hygiene items: a toothbrush, wet wipes, and sanitizing gel

- An inflatable air mattress and an aluminum blanket: to keep warm and sleep comfortably

- A portable smartphone battery, one capable of keeping a phone charged for at least two days: contact friends and family as well as get information

- Work gloves: useful for clearing debris inside and outside if needed

When creating your own emergency bag, consider the unique needs of yourself, your family, and anyone else who might rely on you during a disaster. Preparing in advance will not only make your situation more comfortable but could also be lifesaving for you and your loved ones

Let's KEEP together!

24/10/2024

On October 11th, KEEP member Andrew Mitchell appeared on Kumamoto Kenmin Television (KKT) to discuss disaster prevention for foreign residents.

One of the topics he covered was the use of やさしい日本語 (yasashii nihongo), or easy Japanese. Many Japanese people are unsure how to convey key terms in easy Japanese, so four examples were presented during the TV segment. The blue side of each card displayed the typical Japanese expression, while the yellow side showed how to express the same term in easy Japanese.

- Top left card: "Remove your shoes"
- Top right card: "It opens at 9 am"
- Bottom left card: "Evacuate"
- Bottom right card: "Valuables"

During the segment, Andrew specifically discussed the use of easy Japanese for "evacuate" and "it opens at 9 am." He suggested that when telling someone to evacuate, it’s helpful to provide additional information, such as "Let’s go to a safe place" (安全な場所に行きましょう, anzenna basho ni ikimashou), so the person understands why they need to leave. For opening times, Andrew proposed that saying "It’s from 9 am" (9時からです, kuji kara desu) would be even easier for beginners in Japanese to understand.

Such demonstrations are crucial for Japanese residents, helping them understand the language barriers many foreign residents face and giving them the knowledge to assist if a disaster strikes again.

22/10/2024

On October 6th, KEEP member Andrew Mitchell collaborated with Consortium Kumamoto and the Kumamoto City Disaster Prevention Center to help recently arrived international students with basic disaster preparedness training.

Andrew supported the session by translating into English and sharing personal experiences of the challenges he and others faced during the Kumamoto earthquakes and other disasters that have affected the area.

The event received very positive feedback, with KKT featuring footage in their recent segment, "外国人とBOUSAI."

Through events like this, and the media attention they attract, KEEP aims to preserve the voices of those who have experienced disasters in Kumamoto and help new arrivals stay safe should a similar disaster occur here again.

Let's KEEP together!

19/10/2024

KEEP presented today at the bousai kokutai, a national event about disaster prevention which is being held this year in Kumamoto. Along with representatives from other foreign communities, as well as Japanese organisations which support foreign residents during disasters, we spoke about the efforts we make to help people understand the challenges foreign residents face during times of disaster.

ぼぼうさいこくたい2024は、10月19日（土）・20日（日）熊本で開催します

18/10/2024

We are pleased to announce that KEEP member Andrew Mitchell’s recent appearance on Kumamoto Kenmin Television (KKT) has been uploaded to YouTube. In this segment, Andrew shares insights on using easy Japanese for disaster communication, what he keeps in his emergency bag, and how support for foreign tourists during disasters can be further improved.

Programs like these are very helpful in helping Japanese residents understand the problems foreign residents face during times of disaster, as well as encouraging them to aid foreign residents who appear in need in such times.

Since its inception in 2016, KEEP has worked towards bridging the gap between the Japanese and foreign communities, and we hope such news segments will continue to do this.

Let’s KEEP together!

2024年10月11日(金)「news every.くまもと」で放送した特集を再編集したものです。災害と防災について熊本出身の武田真一さんと熊本地震を経験した熊本大学特任助教のアンドリューミッチェルさんと考えます。外国人観光客も...

11/10/2024

KEEP member Andrew Mitchell took part in a recording for KKT (Kumamoto Kenmin Television) this morning to discuss the types of support foreign residents need during disasters. The segment will air on KKT (channel 4 in Kumamoto) at 18:15 this evening, and it will later be shared on YouTube with the link posted on KEEP's page.

Through appearances like this, we aim not only to help foreign residents prepare but also to raise awareness among Japanese residents about the challenges foreign residents face during disasters. This understanding will benefit all residents in future disasters, helping us work together to stay safe and recover more effectively.

In the coming days, we’ll be sharing key segments from the recording, including examples of easy Japanese and essential items to put in your emergency bag.

Let's KEEP together!

07/10/2024

KEEP spoke at the Japan Intercultural Academy of Municipalities in September about the challenges faced by foreign residents during disasters and the kinds of support they need in such times. The event drew an audience of around 100 people from across Japan, including attendees from Hokkaido, Okinawa, and everywhere in between.

KEEP emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness training for newly arriving foreign residents, as well as the need to foster foreign communities within regions and integrate them into the wider Japanese community. Tackling this issue from multiple angles is the only way to ensure that foreign residents—many of whom may have no prior disaster training—remain safe during emergencies.

Building strong communities also allows these new residents to not only contribute actively to any disaster recovery efforts but also to play a meaningful role in the daily life of the communities in which they live, benefiting all residents.

Let's KEEP together!

24/09/2024

参加留学生募集！！
⛈️防災講座 / Disaster Prevention Seminar for International Students🔥

　留学生の皆様、熊本地震の写真を見たことがありますか？2016年熊本は震度7の地震を経験しました。そして、地震の揺れは一度だけではなく、前震、本震、そして余震と、大きな地震から小さな地震を合わせると3000回を超える揺れが起きました。
　そのとき、外国からきた留学生、観光客はどのように過ごしたでしょうか。実際の揺れとはどのようなものなのでしょうか。
　日本の子どもたちは小さい頃から、地震に備えて防災訓練をしています。世界のどこでも起こり得る地震に備えて、どのような準備をしておけばよいか、この機会に学んでみませんか？

◆日時：2024年 10月6日（日) 10:00～12:00
*9：45集合（予定）
◆集合場所： 熊本市広域防災センター （熊本市中央区大江３丁目１−３）
◆対　象：大学コンソーシアム加盟機関の留学生
◆募集人数：20名　（先着順）
◆申込締切： 9月27日（金）
◆申込みはこちらから
https://consortium-kumamoto.jp/kokusai/bosai/

To all international students, welcome to Kumamoto!
Are you enjoying the new life in Kumamoto?

We'll hold a disaster prevention seminar. Let's learn and prepare for earthquakes and fires with international students in Kumamoto!!

◆Date & Time: October 6 (Sun), 2024, 10:00 - 12:00 *Meet up at 9:45
◆Venue: Kumamoto City Wide Area Disaster Prevention Center
(3-1-3 Oe, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City)
◆Participants: International students from member institutions of The Consortium of Universities in Kumamoto
◆Number of participants：20 applicants (First-come, first-served basis)
◆Application deadline: September, 27th (Fri)

◆申込みはこちらから　Apply from the website.
https://consortium-kumamoto.jp/kokusai/bosai/

Have you seen the pictures of the Kumamoto earthquake, in 2016 Kumamoto experienced an earthquake of intensity 7. And it was not just one quake, but more than 3,000 tremors, including foreshocks, mainshocks, and aftershocks, which were both large and small.
How did foreign students and tourists spend their time? What was the actual shaking like?
Japanese children have been practicing disaster drills since they were small children in order to be prepared for earthquakes. Why not take this opportunity to learn how to prepare for earthquakes that could happen anywhere in the world?