The Kumamoto Earthquake, which recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 7, has once again highlighted the challenges posed by Japan's aging industrial plants and disaster-prevention measures. The Yatsushiro Plant, which began operations in 1924, is cited as a specific example of a long-operating plant.
The earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, which recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 7, occurred at around 4:27 p.m. on 28 July 2026, and damage caused by the earthquake has been reported. The vulnerability of Japan and other disaster-prone countries, along with the risk of damage to production facilities, is being reassessed.
The article lists examples of major earthquakes in the past, including the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, and introduces cases in which plants with more than 100 years of history, such as the Yatsushiro Plant, which has been operating since 1924, were affected.