Kumamoto Earthquake Experience Project - KEEP

08/05/2026

KEEP was featured in a special article on Kumamoto University's website discussing the 10th anniversary of the Kumamoto earthquakes. Various activities led by university staff are discussed, and how each aims to make Japan more disaster resilient for all.

Let's KEEP together!

The official website of Kumamoto University - a future-oriented Research Center University, rooted in the local community and expanding globally

03/05/2026

The article about KEEP first published in the Sankei Shimbun has now been published in English by Japan Forward. We hope many foreign residents who have not yet thought about disaster preparedness can see this article and start to think about how best to protect themselves if disaster strikes.

Japan will never be free from natural disasters. We can't predict, we can't prevent, but we can prepare.

Disaster support for foreign residents in Japan still lags. Experts urge treating them as partners in preparedness, not just people to help in a crisis.

20/04/2026

There has been an earthquake off the coast of North-East Japan. A tsunami of 3m is heading toward Iwate.

As this is breaking news, please watch NHK World for information in English.

Every Hour. Every Day. Live News from Japan, Asia and the World.Latest News On Demand:https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/programs/?cid=wohk-yt-org_site_...

16/04/2026

Today, April 16th, marks the 10th anniversary of the mainshock of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.

At 1:25am, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck, throwing Kumamoto prefecture back into chaos and taking more lives.

This morning, sirens sounded across Kumamoto City as people paused to remember those who lost their lives.

Ten years on, it is a moment to reflect not only on the damage caused, but on what was learned and what still needs to be done to prepare for future disasters.

We can’t predict, we can’t prevent, but we can prepare.

14/04/2026

Andrew from KEEP here. Today marks the 10th anniversary of the foreshock, the first major earthquake in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.

Ten years ago, at 21:26, I was at home using my computer when it struck. I was fortunate: the only damage in my apartment was a few books falling to the floor. But I vividly remember staring at the corner of my room and thinking to myself, “If I see a crack appear, I have about a second left to live before the building collapses on me.”

Dozens of others were not so lucky and lost their lives in the earthquakes. Many more lost their lives in the days and weeks that followed, due to the harsh conditions of evacuation life, including sleeping in cars, exposure to the cold, and the sudden displacement from familiar surroundings.

I started KEEP with other international students in May 2016 to share our experiences with those who had not lived through the disaster, so they could learn from what happened in Kumamoto and better prepare. That is why I continue this work to this day. Japan will never be free from disaster, and so we must all prepare for what may strike at any moment.

We can't predict, we can't prevent, but we can prepare.

This article, published yesterday on Yahoo News, discusses my experience alongside that of Marlo Siswahyu, the Indonesian director of the Islamic Center in Kumamoto. It also highlights the challenges foreign residents faced during the earthquakes, and how we hope to continue contributing to Japanese society, both in times of need and in everyday life.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/599624101391d9f484fe351ab054f2e121d09c25

#熊本地震 #防災速報 報 #熊本地震10年

2度の最大震度7に見舞われた熊本地震から今年で10年となります。当時課題の一つとなったのが外国人への対応でした。避難所で飛び交う「給水」などの言葉は、災害時特有の日本語です。異国で大地震に見舞われ、

12/04/2026

KEEP member Andrew Mitchell was interviewed by the Sankei Shimbun for this article marking 10 years since the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.

It explores how foreign residents are often positioned as “vulnerable,” and the need to instead recognise them as active participants in disaster preparedness.

This shift in perspective has been central to KEEP’s work over the past decade, and we are pleased to see it reflected in this article:

国内に住む外国人やインバウンド（訪日客）が増加する中、言語の壁や習慣の違いを踏まえた防災のあり方が問われている。平成28年の熊本地震を含め、過去の災害では防災…

09/04/2026

KEEP member Andrew Mitchell will appear in this KKT feature this evening, marking 10 years since the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.

It focuses on the experiences of foreign residents, including challenges in accessing support - issues central to KEEP’s work.

https://x.com/kkt_4ch/status/2042086997444137236

#熊本地震

02/04/2026

I recently picked up this LED headlamp for 450yen on AliExpress and added it to my emergency bag.

If a disaster occurs at night—as was the case with both of the Kumamoto earthquakes—power outages can make it extremely difficult to see. While a regular torch is useful, having to hold it limits your ability to carry items or assist others.

This headlamp is lightweight, bright, and takes up very little space. Because it’s worn on your head, it keeps both hands free, which can be crucial in an emergency situation.

Another major advantage is that it’s USB-C rechargeable. I keep a 20,000mAh power bank in my emergency bag, so I can easily keep it charged without needing spare batteries.

It’s a small and inexpensive addition, but one that could be very useful in a real emergency.

Worth considering if you’re updating your own disaster preparedness kit.

23/03/2026

KEEP member Andrew Mitchell was recently featured in an article in the Mainichi Shimbun about his experience during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. The article is in Japanese, but the free-to-read section is translated below for convenience.

Keeping foreign residents safe — Kumamoto earthquake survivor carries out disaster-prevention activities nationwide

Andrew Mitchell (41), a specially appointed assistant professor at Kumamoto University from the United Kingdom, was affected by the Kumamoto earthquakes in April 2016. He had never experienced a major earthquake in his home country and did not know what he should do.

“Even after coming to Japan, there are few opportunities to learn about earthquakes. I don’t want others to go through the same difficult experience that I had.” With this feeling in mind, in May of the same year he started an organisation to teach foreign residents how to prepare for disasters, and he continues these activities today.

Mitchell entered the doctoral program at Kumamoto University in April 2014 at the age of 29. On the night of April 14, 2016, when the first major tremor — the foreshock — struck, he was in his apartment in Kumamoto City. “The only thing I knew was that I had to protect my head.” In a panic, he hid under the mattress of his bed.

　熊本大特任助教で英国出身のアンドリュー・ミッチェルさん（41）は2016年4月、熊本地震で被災した。母国で大きな地震に遭ったことはなく、どうすればよいか分からなかった。「来日しても地震について学ぶ機会は少な.....

08/03/2026

On Tuesday 3rd March, KEEP was invited to give a keynote talk at the 13th Global Work Camp, held at the National A*o Youth Friendship Center.

This year’s theme was “Disaster Preparedness That Brings Us Together” and KEEP had the opportunity to share experiences from the Kumamoto earthquakes and our work supporting foreign residents in preparing for disasters.

During the session, we talked about how foreign residents can face additional difficulties during disasters, the importance of building connections between local communities and international residents, and how these kinds of efforts can help create stronger communities for everyone.

There was a good mix of Japanese and international students, all of whom participated actively. We received some very interesting questions about disaster preparedness in practice, both from international residents who are new to the topic and from Japanese participants who want to make sure they are able to help if the worst happens.

Thank you to Hiromitsu Yagi and Magdalena Mrzigod from the Kumamoto International Foundation for inviting us to speak at the event, and to all the participants for their warm welcome.

Let’s KEEP together!

*o #防災 #多文化共生 #国際交流