Kumamoto is currently home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities in Japan. As of the end of October 2025, nearly 6,100 Vietnamese workers were living in the prefecture, accounting for approximately 25% of the foreign workforce and representing the largest foreign nationality group. The Yatsushiro area alone is home to around 1,000 Vietnamese, while Uki has approximately 350, most of whom are technical intern trainees and specified skilled workers. These are also two of the areas most severely affected by the earthquake.

As of August 15, 2026, one Vietnamese citizen had died and several others had been injured in the earthquake. Vietnamese representative agencies in Japan coordinated with local authorities, businesses, labor unions, the victims’ families, and the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto to verify information, offer condolences and support, and carry out citizen protection efforts.

As part of the working programme, the delegation visited areas with large Vietnamese populations in Yatsushiro City and Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, to distribute gifts and essential supplies. The delegation also met with the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto to discuss relief efforts and presented Certificates of Merit from the Vietnam Association in Japan to nearly 70 volunteers who had made active contributions to supporting the community in the days following the earthquake.

Gifts and essential supplies were provided to Vietnamese people in Kumamoto. (Photo: VUAJ)

Following the working trip, the delegation assessed that shortages of essential goods had eased compared with the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. However, many areas are still waiting for clean water and require longer-term support in livelihoods, administrative procedures, psychological stability, and access to Japan’s recovery policies.

More than JPY 2.43 million raised by the community for relief efforts

According to figures released by the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto, as of the end of August 10, 2026, the Association had received more than JPY 2,430,000 for relief activities. In addition to cash donations, the Association also received various in-kind donations, as well as free transportation and delivery services from organizations, businesses, associations, and individuals.

Total spending on emergency relief had reached nearly JPY 832,000 at the time of reconciliation, mainly for purchasing rice, instant noodles, drinking water, 20-litre water containers, gas canisters, personal hygiene products, and fuel for transporting relief supplies. More than JPY 1.6 million remained. The Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto said it would donate JPY 500,000 to the Kumamoto Prefectural Government to contribute to the prefecture’s earthquake recovery fund.

Immediately after the earthquake struck, VUAJ launched a fundraising campaign among Vietnamese associations, mobilized resources from both inside and outside the prefecture, arranged for relief supplies to be delivered to people living outside evacuation centres, and coordinated with Vietnamese representative agencies, businesses, labor unions, and the local community.

VUAJ presented Certificates of Merit to nearly 70 volunteers who made active contributions to supporting the community in the days following the earthquake. (Photo: VUAJ)

Building a long-term disaster response mechanism

Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, President of VUAJ, said that in the next phase, VUAJ would shift its focus from large-scale relief efforts to supporting the restoration of daily life. Priority would be given to people who are unable to return home, those who have been injured, families suffering serious losses, and people who have lost or experienced a reduction in income due to the disaster. Another important task is to help community members access Japan’s official policies on emergency housing, home repairs, damage assessments, insurance, employment, and livelihood reconstruction.

Drawing on lessons from the disaster, VUAJ has proposed working together to establish a long-term disaster response mechanism within the Vietnamese community. This would include a network of focal points in areas with large Vietnamese populations, a list of volunteers with transportation means, guidance on evacuation and preparing disaster preparedness kits, as well as regular communication channels with local authorities, Vietnamese representative agencies, businesses, and labor unions.

VUAJ will continue coordinating with the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka, the Kumamoto Prefectural Government, local authorities, and the Vietnamese Association in Kumamoto to monitor the situation and support the community in the coming period.

The working trip also highlighted the solidarity and mutual support demonstrated by the Vietnamese community, while affirming that joining hands with the authorities and people of Kumamoto in overcoming the consequences of the disaster is a practical expression of the responsibility, integration, and close ties of Vietnamese people with the host society.

Vietnamese in Japan Rescue Victim and Provide Relief After Earthquake in Kumamoto Five Vietnamese workers and local residents rescued a nearly 90-year-old woman from a collapsed house in Yatsuhiro city, Kumamoto, Japan. Vietnamese missions, associations, and volunteers also urgently delivered food and drinking water to earthquake-affected areas in Kumamoto.

Vietnamese Community Mobilises Relief Efforts in Wake of Kumamoto Earthquake As of the morning of August 2, no additional casualties have been reported among the Vietnamese community following the earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28. One Vietnamese worker was killed and another injured. Vietnamese associations have been delivering drinking water and food to affected workers.