Kumamoto earthquake recovery efforts target small business reconstruction

Efforts to support small businesses affected by the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake are advancing through both government subsidies and private donations.

The Mashiki Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced upcoming applications for the Small-scale Business Continuity Subsidy (Disaster Support Category). This program aims to assist business reconstruction for small-scale operators across Kumamoto Prefecture. Eligible businesses include those in commerce and services with five or fewer employees, and manufacturing or other sectors with up to 20 employees. Subsidies cover expenses such as machinery, advertising, website development, and repairs, with maximum limits of 2 million yen for direct damage and 1 million yen for indirect damage.

In a separate initiative, the organization BRIDGE KUMAMOTO has received a donation from NN Life Insurance to support the recovery of small and medium-sized enterprises in the disaster zone. These funds are intended to go beyond simple physical repairs, helping businesses tackle challenges such as new product development, rebranding, and expanding sales channels to ensure long-term regional stability.