The Moment the Earthquake Struck, My Body Grabbed the Camera and Headed Toward the Disaster Area

The Kumamoto earthquake has occurred.

At the time of the disaster, I was in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma region, about 100 kilometers away from my home. In the middle of a meeting, a sound like a rumbling earth echoed, and things began to shake violently.

Rather than a pulse-like tremor, the violent horizontal shaking continued for about 30 seconds, so for a moment I braced myself, thinking, 'Is this the Nankai Trough?' but it turned out to be an inland earthquake.

The past of chasing earthquakes and encountering one as a victim

During my time at NHK, I spent a period specializing in reporting and producing content on earthquakes.

I take pride in being a leading expert on earthquakes, even within NHK. I have worked on programs verifying the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and themed around 'Prepare for the next big earthquake!' in Kumamoto.

Regarding the risk of another major earthquake occurring in Kumamoto, the situation is such that it 'could happen at any time' and 'can be explained in any number of ways.'

However, when you actually encounter a massive earthquake at this timing, and in the place where you are living as an independent individual, it is breathtaking.

Heading to the disaster area with a camera

When I left NHK to become independent, I had decided to step away from work related to earthquakes and natural disasters.

But after sleeping in my car in Hitoyoshi, when I woke up at 4:00 AM, I found my body moving on its own, and I was heading toward the disaster area with my camera.

What I can do as an NHK director is different from what I can do now as an individual in a free position outside the organization. I started filming without even thinking about how I would release it, but this time I decided to record and release it as 'as it is' as possible.

[YouTube 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake: The Day After the Disaster Document]

Conclusion

As a former science program director living in Kumamoto, I want to explore what I can do in this place and take action.

Please subscribe to the channel.