Japan launches tourism recovery program for Kyushu with up to 60% accommodation subsidies after earthquake

To revitalize the tourism industry in Kyushu, which has been significantly impacted by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on July 28, Japan's tourism agency is rolling out a comprehensive recovery initiative. The 'Kyushu Recovery Discount Program' aims to encourage visitors back to the region by offering substantial subsidies on travel and accommodation expenses.

The program, backed by 15.1 billion yen from Japan's earthquake response reserve funds, will officially commence on October 1, 2026. However, individual prefectures have the discretion to set their own specific start dates. The subsidies will vary by prefecture, with Kumamoto and Kagoshima, which experienced significant booking cancellations due to the earthquake, receiving a 60% subsidy. The other five participating prefectures, Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki, will offer a 50% subsidy.

Financial assistance limits are set per person. For a single night's stay or a package including transportation, the maximum subsidy is 20,000 yen. For stays of two nights or more, the cap is 30,000 yen. Travelers opting for multi-prefecture tours, visiting two or more prefectures, can receive a subsidy of up to 35,000 yen.

Kumamoto Prefecture alone reported approximately 2.7 billion yen in losses due to booking cancellations. Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tetsuno Kanasugi, emphasized the broad impact of tourism, encompassing accommodation, transportation, dining, and local products. He expressed hope that the recovery discounts would encourage people nationwide to support the affected areas.

The initiative seeks to mitigate the economic fallout from the earthquake, which not only damaged infrastructure but also created a shadow over the region's vital tourism sector. By making travel more affordable, authorities hope to restore confidence and drive economic activity across Kyushu.

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Tourism covers a wide range, from accommodation and transportation to dining and local specialties. We hope that everyone will use the recovery discounts to support the disaster-stricken areas from all over the country.