A much stronger quake (magnitude 7.4) hit at 1:25 a.m. on April 16 in an area adjacent to Thursday’s magnitude 6.5 jolt. According to media reports there have been more than 440 aftershocks since first quake, forcing 180,000 people to seek refuge in temporary shelters, tents and even automobiles. The two major quakes and the many aftershocks have caused 42 deaths. Nearly a thousand people have been injured and at least 10 remain unaccounted for.

The joint Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) and Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) search and rescue team including rescue dog Yumenosuke have been searching for survivors under collapsed houses in the two most seriously affected areas, the town of Mashiki and the village of Minamiaso since Friday. In the meantime, other A-PAD staff remain on the scene to assess the needs of people affected by the disasters.

Rescuers stated that the land-slides triggered by the quakes had been so huge that entire areas were washed away. “At one place the section that collapsed was at least a hundred meters across,” said one rescuer. Another member of a rescue team, working with Self Defense Force soldiers and police to locate people trapped in the rubble said, “As the quake occurred in the middle of the night, we homed in on sleeping areas but so much mud had entered the collapsed buildings there was hardly any room left for the rescue dogs to get into.” While continuing to engage in search and rescue operations, A-PAD is making plans to channel its energies to provide support for evacuees who are expected to have to remain in shelters for some time before being able to return to their homes.

A-PAD activities at the disaster site are made possible by the kind assistance of supporters like you. We appreciate your help and ask that you continue to take an interest in our work.

Contributions to A-PAD can be made through the Japanese Government’s “furusato nozei” (hometown tax benefit) program for Japanese, credit card, or bank transfer.

1. Hometown tax benefit only in Japanese language: http://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/81

2.Credit card: https://bokinchan2.com/civicforce/donation/bokin/

3. Bank transfer: We are grateful to everyone making a donation by bank transfer.

We would appreciate it if you could cover the fees of both sender and receiver. Thank again for your support.

(Bank account information)

Name: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corperation

Branch name and Number:Aoyama Branch, 258

Account number: 7027403 (JPY account)

Account name: Civic Force

Swift code: SMBCJPJT

Bank phone humber: +81-3-3404-2112