Japan offers travel subsidies as quake-hit Kyushu seeks tourists’ return

Southern Japan’s tourism industry is seeking a recovery after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused widespread cancellations across Kyushu. The earthquake struck on July 28, with Kumamoto at the epicentre. At least 36 deaths and 200 injuries were reported, while nearly 7,000 people were evacuated.

Transport links were disrupted and buildings and bridges were damaged. The disaster sharply reduced visitor numbers. Hotels across Kyushu’s seven prefectures lost 408,500 booked nights to cancellations, according to a report cited by the South China Morning Post.

Operators said domestic tourists were returning faster than international visitors. The Japanese government approved a 15.1 billion-yen support package on August 28. From Thursday, visitors can receive accommodation discounts of 60 per cent in Kumamoto and Kagoshima and 50 per cent in the other five Kyushu prefectures.

Package tours involving at least two nights in the affected region qualify for discounts of up to 35,000 yen. A planned visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to affected communities was postponed because of poor weather. The couple were expected to meet families living in temporary accommodation.

Tourism officials said autumn demand was recovering in less-affected Miyazaki, but international visitors remained concerned about earthquakes and aftershocks. Rail and air services have resumed, including bullet-train services to Kagoshima on September 18.