Kumamoto Earthquake: Deaths Rise to 30, Including Those Under Investigation

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the death toll from the recent earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 30. This figure includes individuals whose deaths are currently being investigated for a potential link to the disaster. Kishida made the announcement during a meeting of the government's "Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters." The earthquake, which registered a seismic intensity of 7 in Kumamoto Prefecture, has caused widespread damage. Reports indicate casualties at various locations, including the Aeon Mall Kumamoto, where six people died, one suffered cardiac arrest, and five were injured. Nippon Paper's Yatsushiro factory reported eight deaths, one cardiac arrest, and one person missing. Amidst the recovery efforts, the region is also grappling with extreme weather conditions. Forecasts predict scorching heat, with Kumamoto expected to experience a "scorching day." Meanwhile, parts of the Tohoku and Niigata regions are bracing for heavy rainfall. The NHK reported on the financial institutions' responses to the earthquake and provided a Q&A on precautions for those sheltering in vehicles or at home.