World · East Asia & Pacific · 16 hrs ago
Gathering in Kumamoto supports foreign workers shaken by July earthquake
A gathering in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture brought together foreign technical trainees and skilled workers who experienced July’s powerful earthquake.
The city recorded upper 6 on Japan’s seven-point intensity scale, and some workers were living far from home in an unfamiliar environment.
A Tokyo-based company organized the event after learning that workers affected by the quake felt anxious and lonely.
Many participants were from the Philippines, so the company prepared familiar dishes, including lechon and adobo.
Workers shared food and their earthquake experiences after finishing farmwork.
One Filipino tomato grower said the strong shaking was frightening but that eating familiar food together made her happy.
She said she would continue growing tomatoes, while the gathering offered participants a chance to spend time together.
A gathering was held in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, to support foreign workers shaken by the powerful July earthquake.
The event brought together technical intern trainees and specified skilled workers who had felt anxious and lonely while living far from home.
Participants shared their experiences and ate dishes from their home countries after finishing farmwork.
The gathering was organized by Tokyo-based Nihon Reuse System, whose employees prepared four traditional dishes, including lechon and adobo.
- Who
- Technical intern trainees and specified skilled workers, many from the Philippines, attended. Nihon Reuse System organized the gathering.
- What
- A gathering offered food from participants’ home countries and a chance to share experiences after the earthquake.
- When
- The earthquake happened in July 2026. The gathering was held on Oct. 28, 2026.
- Where
- Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.
- Why
- An employee learned that foreign workers in the city felt anxious and lonely after experiencing the earthquake far from home.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, where Yatsushiro registered upper 6 on Japan’s 7-point seismic intensity scale.
Nihon Reuse System held a gathering in Yatsushiro for foreign workers affected by the earthquake.
- Location
- Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture
- Gathering date
- Oct. 28, 2026
- Organiser
- Nihon Reuse System, a Tokyo-based company
- Company delegation
- 15 people, including five Filipino employees
- Traditional dishes
- Four, including lechon and adobo
What people are saying
I think you had a frightening experience in the earthquake, but I hope you eat delicious food and spend a fun time, even for a day or just a moment.
I'd never experienced such strong shaking before, and it was frightening. I'm happy to be able to eat familiar dishes together with everyone. Growing tomatoes is interesting. I'll keep doing my best starting again tomorrow,