[2026 Kumamoto Earthquake] What to do if your home is damaged — There is financial support with an August 7th deadline
We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake.
Following the "2026 Kumamoto Earthquake" that occurred on July 28, 2026, the Disaster Relief Act was applied to Kumamoto City. On July 29, the city published a list of support systems for disaster victims (1st edition, 61 pages in total).
Our site, which tracks housing subsidies for 1,743 municipalities nationwide every day, has extracted only the housing-related systems from this official document and organized them by "by when, where to go, and what to bring." Key points:
1.
Take photos of the damage before cleaning or repairing (overall view + damaged areas)2.
Emergency measures for roofs, etc., are "emergency repairs" — application deadline is August 7. Call the city before hiring a contractor.3.
Apply for a Disaster Victim Certificate (deadline October 31) — The gateway to various support, including "emergency repairs" of up to 757,000 yen.*The amounts, deadlines, and phone numbers in this article are all based on official Kumamoto City documents (sources listed at the end).
First thing you need to know: If you pay a contractor yourself, you will not be able to use the support.
The "emergency repairs" and "urgent repairs" that form the pillars of this support are not systems where money is paid to the disaster victims, but systems where Kumamoto City pays the repair contractors directly. And the official Kumamoto City document states the following:
> If you have already paid the repair contractor, you cannot use this system.
In other words,
if you pay for repairs out of pocket first thinking it is for the best, you cannot use the system afterward. Even if you are worried about roof leaks, please call the city office (Housing Policy Division: 096-328-2449) before taking any action. This is the most important point.
① "Emergency repairs" for homes — Application and completion deadline is August 7
If you leave damage to roofs or exterior walls unattended, the damage will spread due to rain. This is a system where the city will hire a contractor to perform emergency measures to prevent this (installing blue tarps, simple repairs with plywood, nets to prevent falling exterior wall materials, etc.) up to a limit of 56,400 yen (tax included) per household.·
Eligibility: Owners of homes with damage equivalent to large-scale partial destruction to semi-partial destruction, etc., where there is a risk of damage spreading if rainwater intrusion, etc., is left unattended.·
Deadline: Both application and completion must be done by August 7, 2026. There are only 10 days from the earthquake.·
Procedure: Prior consultation with the Housing Policy Division (Main Building 9F, 096-328-2449) → Confirmation of requirements and contractor coordination → Submission of application form → City requests contractor → Repair.Since the deadline is extremely short, if you have damage to your roof, we recommend
calling today or tomorrow.
② "Urgent repairs" for damaged homes — Up to 757,000 yen
This is a system where the city commissions contractors to perform the minimum repairs necessary for daily life on homes that are "uninhabitable in their current state." The amount is significant, and it is the primary form of support for this event.
· Amount (per household, tax included): Total collapse, large-scale partial collapse, medium-scale partial collapse, partial collapse = Up to 757,000 yen / Semi-partial collapse = Up to 367,000 yen
· Scope of coverage: Basic parts such as roofs, floors, walls, openings like doors, plumbing, wiring, and sanitary facilities like toilets. Home appliances are not covered. Interior finishes such as tatami mats and wallpaper are generally not covered (unless replaced together with the underlying structure).
· Main requirements: The home must be in an uninhabitable state, and there must be a prospect that repairs will eliminate the need for evacuation to a shelter or similar facility. For medium-scale partial collapse and below, there is a financial requirement that you "cannot afford the repairs with your own resources."
· Deadline: Both application and completion by October 27, 2026 (includes submission of completion report and repair photos)
· Required documents: Application form, Disaster Victim Certificate (for residential property), photos of damage before repairs, repair estimate (you select the contractor yourself)
· Contact counter: Housing Policy Division (Main Building, 9th Floor) 096-328-2449
If you live in a rental property, the landlord is generally responsible for repairs, but depending on the circumstances, tenants may be able to use this system (owner's consent, etc., is required). Consult with the office before giving up.
How to find a repair contractor? (Beware of unscrupulous contractors)
If you do not have a contractor in mind to provide an estimate, you can use the "Housing Reconstruction Contractor Search Site" (sumai-saiken.jp) operated with the cooperation of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. From the top page, filter by "Kumamoto Prefecture" -> "Kumamoto City" -> Type of work (roof, exterior wall, etc.) to see a list of local contractors who handle repairs for disaster-damaged homes. Official Kumamoto City documents also state that they "introduce search sites supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism" regarding repair contractors.
Also, after a disaster, there will inevitably be an increase in inspection scams and opportunistic business practices where people visit saying, "I will inspect your roof for free." As warned on the site, do not sign a contract on the spot, and if you are in trouble, call the Consumer Hotline (188). Please confirm the application procedure for the city (mentioned above) before signing any repair contract.
③ Disaster Victim Certificate — The "gateway" to all support (Deadline: October 31)
A disaster victim certificate is required to apply for emergency repairs. Since this also serves as the starting point for many other exemptions and support programs, please apply as soon as possible in parallel with emergency repairs.
· Who can apply?: Those who have suffered damage to their residence (including combined store-residences). Renters can also apply. Even if your resident registration is elsewhere, you can apply if you actually live there.
· Where?: At the welfare division of each ward office or each general branch office (weekdays 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM), or via electronic application on Myna Portal
· What to bring: Identity verification documents (driver's license, My Number card, etc.), application form, etc.
· Time-saving tip (official guidance): In cases where damage is minor and no inspection is required, if you wish to receive a certificate for "partial damage," you can receive it on the same day by bringing photos of the damage or a repair estimate (attach these if applying electronically).
· Deadline: Until October 31, 2026 (October 30 for in-person applications).
· Inquiries: Health and Welfare Policy Division 096-328-2340. You can apply at offices other than the one in your ward.
Other systems available depending on household circumstances
The official document (61 pages in total) contains a wide range of support, including non-housing related items. Housing-related support includes the following:
· Housing loans for single-parent families: Limit of 1.5 million yen (interest-free with a guarantor). Kumamoto City Mother and Father Consultation Room 096-372-1228.
· Subsidies for the removal of dilapidated dangerous vacant houses: Up to 600,000 yen. Vacant House Measures Division 096-328-2514.
· In addition, there are exemptions for city taxes and water bills, provision of daily necessities such as clothing and bedding, and exemptions for disaster waste disposal fees.
Don't forget fire and earthquake insurance
Insurance is something you can use separately from public support. One important note here: building damage caused by earthquakes is not covered by fire insurance (fires caused by earthquakes are also excluded). Coverage is only provided if you have "earthquake insurance" contracted as a set with your fire insurance. Please first check your insurance policy or call your insurance company to see if you have earthquake insurance. Photos of the damage are useful for claims—this is also why we mentioned "take photos first" at the beginning.
Summary: Today's To-Do List
1. Take photos of the damage (overall view + damaged areas, multiple photos).
2. If there is a risk of roof leaks, call the Housing Policy Division at 096-328-2449 (emergency repairs, deadline August 7th).
3. Apply for a disaster victim certificate (in-person or via Myna Portal, until October 31).
4. Check if your current insurance includes earthquake insurance.
5. If the damage makes the home uninhabitable, consult at the office regarding emergency repairs (up to 757,000 yen, deadline October 27).
Support systems may be added or changed in the "2nd edition" and beyond. Please be sure to check the latest information on the official Kumamoto City website. Our site's breaking news page will also be updated in line with official announcements.
▶ Housing Subsidy Navi's Kumamoto Earthquake Breaking News Article (updated as needed)
*Source: Kumamoto City "2026 Kumamoto Earthquake Victim Support System (1st Edition, as of July 29, 2026)" and "<2026 Kumamoto Earthquake> Guide to the Disaster Relief Act 'Emergency Repair of Residences' System" (city.kumamoto.jp, accessed July 30, 2026). All system information, including amounts, deadlines, and phone numbers, is based on the same document, and the determination of the degree of damage and individual eligibility is at the discretion of Kumamoto City.
(Operated by: nando LLC / Housing Subsidy Navi)