If your home was damaged in the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake and you live in one of the affected municipalities, you may be eligible for government-subsidized emergency repair assistance (応急修理, okyuu shuri). This program — activated under Japan’s Disaster Relief Act — covers the minimum repairs needed to make a home livable again. It is separate from the emergency blue-sheet tarping program that was offered immediately after the quake.
The program applies to residents of the following areas: Yatsushiro City, Minamata City, Yamaga City, Kikuchi City, Uto City, Kamiamakusa City, Uki City, Amakusa City, Koshi City, Misato Town (Shimoshiroishiro District), Otsu Town, Kikuyo Town, Nishihara Village, Mifune Town, Kashima Town, Mashiki Town, Kosa Town, Hikawa Town, Ashikita Town, and Tsunagi Town. Kumamoto City residents are handled separately — contact the City’s Housing Policy Division directly. As we’ve covered, transport and services across the prefecture remain disrupted, so contacting your local office by phone first is strongly recommended.
Before you apply: Take clear photographs of all damaged areas and the specific spots requiring repair — this is a required part of the application. Be aware that the prefecture is also warning residents to watch out for fraudulent repair contractors who target disaster victims. Always verify a contractor’s legitimacy before agreeing to any work. Ask your municipal office for guidance if you are unsure.
Municipal Contact List
| Municipality | Department | Open From | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 熊本市 (Kumamoto City) | 住宅政策課 | July 31 | 096-328-2449 |
| 八代市 (Yatsushiro City) | 営繕課 | August 5 | 0965-33-4401 |
| 水俣市 (Minamata City) | 財政課 | July 31 | 0966-61-1653 |
| 山鹿市 (Yamaga City) | 福祉課 | August 10 | 0968-43-1167 |
| 菊池市 (Kikuchi City) | 都市整備課 | August 3 | 0968-25-7242 |
| 宇土市 (Uto City) | すまい再建支援室 | August 7 | 0964-22-1111 |
| 上天草市 (Kamiamakusa City) | 都市整備課 | TBC | 0969-28-3366 |
| 宇城市 (Uki City) | — | TBC | TBC |
| 天草市 (Amakusa City) | 建設住宅課 | August 7 | 0969-32-6797 |
| 合志市 (Koshi City) | 都市計画課 | July 31 | 096-248-3855 |
| 下益城郡美里町 (Misato Town) | 福祉課 | August 12 | 0964-47-1116 |
| 菊池郡大津町 (Otsu Town) | 都市計画課 | TBC | 096-293-4011 |
| 菊池郡菊陽町 (Kikuyo Town) | — | TBC | TBC |
| 阿蘇郡西原村 (Nishihara Village) | 住民福祉課 | August 4 | 096-279-3113 |
| 上益城郡御船町 (Mifune Town) | — | TBC | TBC |
| 上益城郡嘉島町 (Kashima Town) | 企画情報課 | TBC | 096-237-2641 |
| 上益城郡益城町 (Mashiki Town) | — | TBC | TBC |
| 上益城郡甲佐町 (Kosa Town) | 建設課 | August 8 | 096-234-1183 |
| 八代郡氷川町 (Hikawa Town) | 下水道課 | August 11 | 0965-52-5862 |
| 葦北郡芦北町 (Ashikita Town) | 健康福祉課 | August 13 | 0966-83-9667 |
| 葦北郡津奈木町 (Tsunagi Town) | — | TBC | TBC |
For municipalities listed as TBC (確認中), their offices are still setting up the service — check their official websites or call as soon as possible for the latest status. If you need to contact Kumamoto Prefecture directly, reach the Housing & Welfare Policy Division (健康福祉政策課 すまい対策チーム) at 〒862-8570 熊本県熊本市中央区水前寺6丁目18番1号, Tel: 096-333-2185.
Source: Kumamoto Prefecture
