Update One Week After Kumamoto Earthquake

As of Monday 3rd August, 38 people have died, 278 disability care homes were ‘affected’ and some ‘disaster-related deaths’ have sadly occurred. A total of 278 disability care facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture have been affected by the powerful earthquake that struck the region earlier this week, Kyodo reported on July 31, citing the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry. A woman in her 70s died while sleeping in a car, apparently from heatstroke. Her death was judged potentially to be disaster-related, with the physical and mental strain of life as an evacuee among the possible causes. Episode notes: ‘Death Toll from Kumamoto Quake Rises to 38’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/08/03/death-toll-from-kumamoto-quake-rises-to-38/ ‘278 disability care facilities affected by Kumamoto earthquake’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/08/01/278-disability-care-facilities-affected-by-kumamoto-earthquake/