More than a month has passed since a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28. While the Japanese government, local authorities and companies have poured resources into recovery, allowing core industries such as semiconductors to return to normal quickly, the tourism sector is struggling with a sharp drop in visitors.
Recovery work at major manufacturers including semiconductor and automobile plants is proceeding smoothly, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and other outlets on the 27th. Sony, Taiwan's TSMC, Renesas and Honda restored plant operations to pre-quake levels within three to four weeks of the earthquake. Basic infrastructure such as the partly damaged Kyushu Expressway and power grids was also swiftly repaired.
Kumamoto Prefecture officials more than doubled the speed of their large-scale disaster response, moving up the start of construction on temporary housing for displaced residents to six days after the quake, from two weeks after the disaster a decade ago. The port of Yatsushiro, a key node in the supply chain of southern Kyushu, is expected to need more time before container ship services resume.
Tourism Takes a Heavy Hit
The earthquake coincided with the peak summer season, leaving the tourism industry with severe damage. Kumamoto, which combines Mount Aso, Kumamoto Castle, hot springs and natural scenery, had been one of the more popular destinations among Korean travelers.
Visitor numbers fell sharply after the earthquake. One resort hotel in Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, saw more than 2,000 accommodation cancellations. According to mobile carrier data on foot traffic, the number of out-of-prefecture visitors to central Amakusa plunged 62% from a year earlier immediately after the quake, while Aso and Hitoyoshi saw declines of 30% to 40%.
The impact spread to neighboring areas. With some sections of the Kyushu Shinkansen suspended, out-of-prefecture visitors to Kagoshima-Chuo Station in nearby Kagoshima Prefecture fell 52% and visitors to Ibusuki dropped 24%, leaving southern Kyushu with a chain of losses.
The Japanese government plans to launch a "Kyushu Support Discount" program from this autumn to revive tourism demand in the affected areas. A plan to cover 60% of lodging and travel costs for trips to Kumamoto is under strong consideration.
