Nippon Paper reports nine deaths after chimney collapse at Yatsuo plant during Kumamoto earthquake

On 5 August 2026 a strong earthquake (shindo 6‑strong) struck Kumamoto, Japan, damaging the Nippon Paper Co. plant in Yatsuo (八代市). Three chimneys were hit, and an 80‑metre chimney folded in its middle and collapsed onto a two‑storey building.

The collapse killed nine people – six office workers and three contractors – while a further five workers and two contractors were injured. At the time of the quake 414 staff members were on site. Nippon Paper’s president Akira Sebe and plant manager Yamanabe Yoshisada held a press conference, expressing condolences, apologising to families, and announcing that all plant operations have been halted pending an external expert investigation.

The company said it will prioritise the investigation and safety measures before considering any restart of production at the Yatsuo facility.