Kumamoto earthquake prompts school recruitment flexibility and accelerated shelter air‑conditioning upgrades

The July 28, 2024 Kumamoto earthquake forced the Kumamoto College of Technology to suspend classes and issue a notice to employers asking for flexible deadlines, interview arrangements, and protection against penalties for students whose job‑search activities are disrupted by evacuation, transport cuts and communication problems.

In a July 31 press conference, Education Minister Yohei Matsumoto said the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is speeding up the installation of air‑conditioning in school gymnasiums serving as evacuation shelters. The goal is to raise the installation rate, currently about 33 % of public school gymnasiums, to 100 % by fiscal year 2035, with increased subsidies and budget support to ensure safe, comfortable conditions for displaced children and families.