I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake. Below is a summary of the recovery support measures currently announced. Today’s section covers support for business entities.

National Support Measures for Business Entities (2026 Kumamoto Earthquake)

Financing, Loans, and Credit Guarantees

Safety Net Guarantee No. 4 (100% Guarantee):
Small and medium-sized enterprises in the 21 municipalities of Kumamoto Prefecture where the Disaster Relief Act has been applied are eligible. If sales are expected to decline by 20% or more compared to the same month of the previous year, the local Credit Guarantee Association provides a 100% guarantee under a special framework separate from ordinary guarantees. Designation period: July 28 – November 4, 2026.

Disaster Recovery Loans (Japan Finance Corporation, Shoko Chukin Bank, etc.):
Recovery loans for affected SMEs and small-scale businesses. In areas designated as “local severe disaster,” special measures apply, such as reduced interest rates (up to ¥10 million at –0.9%).

Small Enterprise Mutual Aid – Disaster Loan:
Members of the mutual aid program can receive low-interest, same-day loans under special disaster provisions.

Relaxation of repayment conditions for existing loans:
Government-affiliated and private financial institutions have been requested to provide flexible measures such as repayment deferrals.

Welfare and Medical Service Agency – Disaster Recovery Funds:
Special loan programs for medical and welfare facilities.

Taxes, Social Insurance, and Public Levies

Extension of national tax filing and payment deadlines:
In severely affected areas such as Yatsushiro, Uto, Uki, and Hikawa, deadlines are automatically extended without application. Other areas may apply for extensions. The National Tax Agency has published disaster-related information.

Extension and deferral of Employees’ Pension Insurance and Labor Insurance premiums:
Special measures mainly for the four severely affected municipalities.

Increased national subsidy rates due to “severe disaster” designation:
Although not a system directly applied for by businesses, increased national funding for infrastructure and farmland restoration indirectly supports business continuity.

Employment and Labor

Special measures for Employment Adjustment Subsidy:
Relaxed requirements and increased subsidy rates for businesses forced to suspend operations due to the earthquake.

Other labor-related special measures:
Consultation services and special provisions regarding working hours, leave allowances, and workers’ compensation.

Other Support (Consultation & Information)

Special consultation desks by METI and Kyushu Bureau:
Twenty consultation desks established for financing and general support programs.

Financial Services Agency consultation hotline:
Support for issues related to dealings with financial institutions.

SME Agency – Support for affected SMEs:
Centralized information and consultation services.

Kumamoto Prefecture Support Measures for Business Entities

Prefectural consultation desks for SMEs:
Special desks for financing and management consultation.

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries financing consultation:
Support for disaster-related funding and resumption of operations.

Prefectural and municipal tax reductions and deadline extensions:
Tax relief and deferral measures related to the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake.

Prefecture-wide recovery support program (under consideration):
According to METI materials, municipalities are expected to implement high-subsidy-rate recovery programs equivalent to the “Livelihood Recovery Subsidy for Businesses.” Specific subsidy announcements are expected soon.

Municipal-Level Support Measures (Examples)

TKC Group provides a comprehensive list of municipal support measures. Representative examples include:

Safety Net Guarantee No. 4 certification (Kumamoto City, Yatsushiro, Yamaga, Uto, Kami-Amakusa, Koshi, etc.):
Municipalities issue certification required to use Guarantee No. 4.

Special consultation desks for SMEs (Yatsushiro, Uto, Uki, etc.):
Guidance on national and prefectural loan programs, financing, and management consultation.

Disaster waste disposal fee reduction (Kumamoto City, etc.):
Fee reductions for disaster-related waste from shops, factories, and offices.

Issuance of disaster damage certificates for business facilities:
Certificates for shops, factories, and offices, required for subsidies and tax relief.

National subsidy for disaster recovery of social welfare facilities (Kumamoto City, etc.):
Information on national subsidies for facility restoration.

Emergency short-term financing guarantee (Uto City, etc.):
Emergency guarantee programs by the Kumamoto Credit Guarantee Association.

For comprehensive municipal information:
Refer to TKC’s “Support Measures for Business Operators – 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake,” filtered by Kumamoto Prefecture.

Key Practical Points for Business Entities

Evidence preservation:
Photograph damage to buildings, equipment, and inventory. Obtain a disaster damage certificate for business facilities.

Financing:
Combine Safety Net Guarantee No. 4, disaster recovery loans, and mutual aid disaster loans. Consult early regarding repayment condition changes for existing loans.

Tax and social insurance deferral:
Do not leave unpaid taxes or insurance premiums unattended—apply for extensions or deferrals.

Reconstruction subsidies are “yet to come”:
Before starting reconstruction work, consult the prefecture or municipality to confirm upcoming subsidy programs.

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