Vietnamese Association in Japan surveys situation, supports community after Kumamoto earthquake
WVR - On August 15, a delegation representing the Standing Committee of the Vietnamese Association in Japan (VUAJ), led by Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, Chairman of VUAJ, and Ms. Mei Phuong, General Secretary of VUAJ, conducted a working visit to Kumamoto Prefecture. The purpose was to assess the situation, visit the Vietnamese community affected by the earthquake, review relief efforts, and discuss support plans during the recovery phase.
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During the working program, the delegation visited areas with a large Vietnamese population in Yatsushiro City and Uto City (Kumamoto Prefecture) to distribute gifts and essential supplies. They also engaged with the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto regarding relief efforts and presented Certificates of Commendation from VUAJ to nearly 70 volunteers who made significant contributions to community support in the days following the earthquake.
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| The delegation visited areas with a large Vietnamese population in Yatsushiro City and Uto City (Kumamoto Prefecture) to distribute gifts and essential supplies. (Source: VUAJ) |
Through the mission on August 15, 2026, the delegation noted that the shortage of emergency supplies had decreased compared to immediately after the earthquake. However, many areas still await clean water and require longer-term support regarding livelihoods, administrative procedures, psychological stability, and access to Japan's recovery policies.
Kumamoto is currently one of the localities with a large Vietnamese community in Japan. By the end of June 2025, the province had over 7,050 Vietnamese residents, accounting for about 23% of the total foreign population in the province.
By the end of October 2025, the number of Vietnamese workers in the province was nearly 6,100, making up about 25% of the foreign workforce and the largest nationality group. Specifically, Yatsushiro has about 1,000 Vietnamese residents and Uki about 350, mostly technical interns and specified skilled workers. These are also the two areas heavily affected by the earthquake.
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| Gifts were handed directly to support the community after the Kumamoto earthquake. (Source: VUAJ) |
As of August 15, one Vietnamese citizen had died, and several were injured due to the earthquake. Vietnamese Representative Missions in Japan coordinated with local authorities, businesses, labor unions, the victims' families, and the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto to verify information, offer condolences, and carry out citizen protection efforts.
Over 2.43 million Yen mobilized for relief efforts
According to data released by the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto, by the end of August 10, 2026, the total amount received for relief activities was over 2,430,000 Yen.
In addition to cash, the Association also received numerous in-kind donations and free support for transportation and logistics from organizations, businesses, associations, and individuals. Total emergency relief spending at the time of reconciliation was nearly 832,000 Yen, primarily used to purchase rice, instant noodles, drinking water, 20-liter water containers, gas cylinders, personal hygiene items, and fuel for transporting relief supplies. The remaining balance was over 1.6 million Yen.
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| Scene of the Kumamoto earthquake. (Source: VUAJ) |
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The Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto announced that it would donate 500,000 Yen to the Kumamoto Prefecture government to contribute to the province's earthquake recovery fund.
Immediately after the earthquake, the Vietnamese Association in Japan launched a call for donations among associations, mobilizing resources within and outside the province, organizing the delivery of relief supplies to those living outside evacuation points, and coordinating with Vietnamese Representative Missions, businesses, labor unions, and the local community.
Building a long-term disaster response mechanism
In the next phase, the Vietnamese Association in Japan aims to shift the focus from widespread relief to life recovery, prioritizing those unable to return home, the injured, families suffering severe damage, and those who lost or reduced income due to the disaster.
Another important task is to assist the community in accessing Japan's official policies on emergency housing, home repairs, damage verification, insurance, employment, and life reconstruction.
Based on the experience from this disaster, the Association proposes collaborating to build a long-term disaster response mechanism within the Vietnamese community. This includes a network of focal points in areas with a large Vietnamese population, a list of volunteers with transportation means, evacuation guidance, and disaster preparedness kits, along with regular communication channels with local authorities, Vietnamese Representative Missions, businesses, and labor unions.
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| Dr. Nguyen Hong Son presents Certificates of Commendation from VUAJ to nearly 70 volunteers who made significant contributions to community support in the days following the earthquake. (Source: VUAJ) |
The Vietnamese Association in Japan will continue to coordinate with the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka, Kumamoto Prefecture authorities, localities, and the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto to monitor the situation and support the community in the coming period.
The mission on August 15 also highlighted the solidarity and mutual support of the Vietnamese community, affirming that joining hands with the Kumamoto government and people to overcome the disaster's aftermath is a practical activity demonstrating responsibility, integration, and the Vietnamese people's attachment to the host society.
