Official source articles

Opening time: 9:00 to 16:00 (open on weekends for the time being)

Form of ID

How to take photos

Step 1: Take a photo of the house number and the whole building

Take photos from all four directions (east, west, south, north) as much as possible

Step 2: Take photos of the damaged areas

For each damaged area, take two photos — one from far away and one from close up

Take photos so that the size and level of damage can be seen. Point to or measure the damaged area.

What to do first when your home is damaged (how to take photos) (PDF 2,366KB) ↗

Note: Damage to things other than homes (such as block walls, house fences, carports, TV antennas, and belongings) is covered by damage notification certificates, not damage certificates.

What is a damage certificate?

A damage certificate is a paper from Uki City that shows how much damage a home has after water damage, earthquakes, wind damage, or other disasters.

When you ask for a damage certificate, Uki City will look at your home and see what damage it has.

Large partial collapse

Medium partial collapse

Not reaching partial collapse (partial damage)

What you need to bring

Form of ID (such as a driver's licence)

Note: If you want to use self-assessment method, you must send photos. If you do not want to use self-assessment, photos are not required. However, photos help us to check the damage more correctly.

If someone other than you and your family is applying, a power of attorney letter is needed

Only one certificate is given for one household (one for each building).

A damage certificate usually needs a visit to your home to check it. It can take from a few days to a few weeks from when you ask to when you get it.

What is self-assessment method?

Self-assessment method is a way to give you a damage certificate for "partial damage" quickly. For homes with light damage that clearly does not reach "partial collapse," we do not visit your home. Instead, we look at photos you took of the damage and give you a "partial damage" certificate with your say-so.

Because self-assessment does not need a visit, we can give you a damage certificate faster.

Note: A damage certificate from self-assessment can only be given when the home damage is "not reaching partial collapse (partial damage)."

What is a damage notification certificate?

We look at photos of damage to buildings and things from natural disasters. We then say that "a report of damage was made" to us. We do not visit or check the damage level.

Place: Main Building 2nd Conference Room on the 1st floor（本庁新館１階第２会議室）, Mitsushiro Branch 2nd floor large conference room（三角支所２階大会議室）, Toyono Branch 2nd floor large conference room（豊野支所２階大会議室）, Ogawa Community Culture Center Rapport（小川総合文化センターラポート）, Shiranuhi Branch（不知火支所）

Note: The dates and places may change because of the disaster or power restoration.

Photo showing damage (with the date and time if you can. You do not need to print it.)

Also, when we reach the set number of people, we stop accepting applications that day. Thank you for understanding.

Note: Ogawa Community Culture Center Rapport（小川総合文化センターラポート） and Shiranuhi Branch（不知火支所） have not yet set an opening date because power and equipment restoration cannot be planned.

We will give out ticket numbers, but there may be times when staff are not there even if many people are waiting early in the morning.

We expect very busy times right after we start accepting applications.

When applications are accepted

Main office: from 31 July (Friday) for the time being

Mitsushiro Branch: from 1 August (Saturday) for the time being

Toyono Branch: from 1 August (Saturday) for the time being

Ogawa Community Culture Center Rapport（小川総合文化センターラポート）: Not yet decided

Shiranuhi Branch（不知火支所）: Not yet decided

We take applications on weekdays and weekends, and also at Obon time. Take photos of your damage. If you are not in a hurry, please come at a time when it is less busy.

Note: For people taking in disaster waste

You do not need a damage certificate to take in disaster waste.

For more, check the news from the Health and Environment Division.

Note: For people who want a damage certificate for private insurance

Some insurance companies may not need a damage certificate.

Please check with your own insurance company.

At the damage certificate office, we give out ticket numbers to keep people safe, to cut wait times, and to help the office run well.

If you get a ticket number, you can wait outside the building or in your car until we call you.

Thank you for understanding and working with us.

We plan to keep taking applications for damage certificates in September too.

From 3 August (Monday), Uki City Main Building will accept 350 people. Mitsushiro Branch and Toyono Branch will each accept 60 people.

We accept applications for disaster certificates, damage certificates, and disaster report certificates for the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake.

A photo that shows the damage (you do not need to print it).

If you are not the head of the household or a household member, you need a letter of authority (note 1).

(Note 1) Letter of authority form.

Letter of authority (for disaster certificate, disaster report certificate, and damage certificate) (Word 34KB). ↗

Letter of authority (for disaster certificate, disaster report certificate, and damage certificate) (PDF 68KB). ↗

If it is not a home (for example, an office, shop, warehouse, or empty building), please apply for a damage certificate.

(Note) In self-assessment method, we check damage from photos instead of a site visit. You must send photos of the damaged building. We do not visit the site.

What is a damage certificate?

The damage level and the things you need are the same as for a disaster certificate.

A site visit is usually needed to issue a damage certificate. It may take from a few days to a few weeks from when you apply to when you get the certificate.

This certificate is for movable things (like cars and furniture) that do not need a damage level, and for structures (like sheds and fences).

You can also report damage to homes and other buildings on this certificate, but the damage level will not be written.

This certificate can sometimes be used instead of other documents that you need for insurance claims or applications to the government. You need a photo that shows the damage.

Updated August 5, 2026.

Online applications are now available.

Online: from August 5 (Wednesday) for the foreseeable future.

Online

Hours: 24 hours — you can apply any time.

Your proof of identity.

A photo showing the damage.

Online application form.

Apply for a disaster certificate here.

Apply for a damage certificate here.

Apply for a disaster report certificate here.

This is a document that Uki City issues to prove the level of damage to buildings — for non-residential buildings (including empty buildings) and rental properties — that were damaged by floods, earthquakes, windstorms, or similar disasters.

0964-32-1111 ↗

Ticket distribution starts at 8:30.

You cannot put computers in the city rubbish collection.

A — Large burnable waste (chests of drawers, sliding doors, carpets, and so on).

B — Large non-burnable waste (metal shelves, chairs, sofas, and so on).

C — Non-burnable items (pottery, glass, metal scraps, cans, bottles, and so on).

E — Small electrical goods (rice cookers, microwaves, hair dryers, and so on).

F — Burnable waste (tree wood must be 80 centimetres long or shorter, and 10 centimetres wide or smaller).

You must sort the waste into the types above.

Things that are not in the list above cannot go in. Please take them home. We are sorry.

Waiver request form（熊本地震） (PDF 297KB) — please fill in your address, name, and phone number before you come.

Photos that show the damage (the outside and inside of buildings, and so on) — you can take them on a phone or camera.

A document that proves who you are (a driving licence or My Number Card).

A disaster certificate is not needed.

At the temporary site, do what the staff tell you. Put the waste in the right place.

In most cases, you must unload the waste yourself.

If the weather is bad or we cannot take any more waste, we may stop. We will tell you on our website and so on.

Please follow the path so that other people can pass. Please think of the people who live near the site.

Please look at the leaflet below to see the order for unloading waste at the temporary site.

Disaster waste bringing leaflet（Uki Clean Center（宇城クリーンセンター）） (PDF 196KB). ↗

We send our deep sympathy to all those affected by the earthquake.

We are opening temporary storage sites for disaster waste from the earthquake.

July 31 (Friday) to August 7 (Friday)

Also open August 1 (Saturday) and August 2 (Sunday).

Uki Clean Center（宇城クリーンセンター）（宇城クリーンセンター（宇城市松橋町萩尾1775番地3））

8:30 AM–12:00 PM, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM

August 8 (Saturday) to September 30 (Wednesday)

Open on weekends: August 8 (Saturday), August 9 (Sunday), August 29 (Saturday), August 30 (Sunday), September 26 (Saturday), September 27 (Sunday)

Closed on national holidays.

Misumi B&G Ground（三角B&Gグラウンド）（三角B&Gグラウンド （宇城市三角町波多2864番地32）） Closes August 31 (Monday).

Toyokawa Ground（豊川グラウンド）（豊川グラウンド （宇城市松橋町南豊崎673番地1））

Inagawa Ground（稲川グラウンド）（稲川グラウンド （宇城市小川町東小川14番地））

Old Toyono Elementary School site（旧豊野小学校跡地）（旧豊野小学校跡地 （宇城市豊野町糸石3016番地））

9:30 AM–11:30 AM, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM

Waste plastic

Combustible bulky waste

Difficult-to-process waste

Glass and ceramics

Plasterboard

Slate

Rubble and concrete

Recyclable appliances

You must sort the waste.

Empty refrigerators, chests of drawers, and other items before bringing them.

○ ID (driver's license or My Number Card)

If you live outside Uki City and want to bring disaster waste from Uki City, you need a signed letter (any form) from the property owner.

At the entrance, staff will take photos of your ID and vehicle. Please understand this.

Letter of authorisation (for when someone other than a household member brings waste) (Word 30KB) ↗

Letter of authorisation (for when someone other than a household member brings waste) (PDF 262KB) ↗

Follow the guide's instructions at the site. Put your waste in the place you are told.

If you bring a truck 2 tons or larger, please use Inagawa Ground（稲川グラウンド） or the old Toyono Elementary School site（旧豊野小学校跡地）.

Please try to bring only one type of sorted waste in your vehicle if you can.

Cover your waste with a blue sheet or similar to keep it from flying during transport.

If we must close because of weather or because we are full, we will tell you by radio or on our website.

We are not responsible for accidents or injuries at the site.

Please see the leaflet below for information about the route to the temporary storage sites.

Uki City disaster waste temporary storage site leaflet (PDF 1,211KB) ↗

0964-32-1111 ↗

Updated on 6 August 2026.

On Thursday, 6 August 2026 at 14:30, people who have entered the Prefectural Road Yokoiri entrance up to that time will be the last to be accepted.

People of Uki City, this is Mayor Naohiro Suematsu（末松直洋）.

First, I offer my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in this earthquake. I also express my heartfelt sympathy to their families. We are standing with all those who continue to live in evacuation shelters and face difficult lives. As a city, we are doing everything we can so you can return to normal life as soon as possible.

Today marks one week since the earthquake.

Many people are still living difficult lives in evacuation shelters.

Electricity has been restored, but water shortages continue. We are working with related organizations day and night to restore water service fully as soon as possible.

We will continue to do everything we can so you can return to safe, normal life quickly.

Knowing that clearing damaged homes will soon speed up, we have started accepting disaster waste at Uki Clean Center（宇城クリーンセンター）. We are asking administrative districts to set up temporary storage sites so people can easily bring their disaster waste.

With the help and support of heads of administrative districts and others, we are also working hard to recover the living environment quickly.

Since right after the earthquake, many local governments inside and outside Kumamoto Prefecture have sent staff to support recovery and rebuilding. We have also received warm supplies and encouraging words from many companies, organizations, and people across the nation. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The road to recovery will be long and difficult. But ten years ago, when the Kumamoto earthquake struck, we overcame hardship with help from many people and moved forward with rebuilding.

This time too, with help from the national and prefectural governments, local governments across the nation, private companies, various organizations, and many people, I am sure we can overcome this hardship and bring our hometown back to life strong again.

As a city, we will put our workers' full effort into helping you return to normal daily life as quickly as possible. This is our top priority.

People of Uki City, I know you face uncertain and difficult days. Please do not lose hope. Let us support each other, encourage each other, and overcome this hardship together.

Matsubase General Sports and Culture Center

（matsubasemachioono（松橋町大野） 85）

(1) 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

(2) 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Matsubase West Disaster Prevention Base Center（松橋西防災拠点センター）

（matsubasemachimatsubase（松橋町松橋） 564-2）

Shiranuhi Disaster Prevention Base Center（不知火防災拠点センター）

（shiranuhimachikoura（不知火町高良） 2273-1）

Matsubase East Disaster Prevention Base Center（松橋東防災拠点センター）

（matsubasemachitoyofuku（松橋町豊福） 1786）

Ogawa Disaster Prevention Base Center（小川防災拠点センター）

（ogawamachiegashira（小川町江頭） 100）

Uki City Hall（宇城市役所）

（main office, Ogawa Branch, Toyono Branch, Shiranuhi Branch Office（不知火支所）, Misumi Branch）

※ There are no restrictions on target days and times, but interviews and photography are limited to office hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.).

<2 Things to watch out for when interviewing and filming>

When interviewing and filming, follow the next points.

(1) When filming inside shelters and city hall buildings, be careful not to capture the faces of evacuees.

(2) If you interview or film evacuees directly, you must get their consent first. Film only the person who gave consent.

(3) Inside and outside the city hall and shelters, please wear an armband（腕章） to show you are a news media worker.

(4) There are no limits on the location of interviews and photography outside each building, but restrictions may be added later depending on the situation.

(5) When filming city hall, make sure computer screens and other work information do not appear in the shot.

<3 How to apply for interviews and photography>

When doing interviews and photography inside shelters and city hall buildings, apply in advance using the next form.

Application form: https://logoform.jp/form/432130/1726244

※ When interviewing and filming inside and outside target facility "6 Uki City Hall Main Office", you must create a separate "Building Facility Use Permission Application (for interior and exterior filming)" and attach it to the application form.

⇒Creating and attaching a "Building Facility Use Permission Application (for interior and exterior filming)" is not needed.

01 News release (On-site interviews concerning the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake: 1 August 2026) (PDF 308KB) ↗

02 News release (Air conditioning to be installed in the dojo at Matsubase Junior High School: 3 August 2026) (PDF 263KB) ↗

03 News release (Cardboard beds to be set up at Ogawa Junior High School and Misumi Disaster Prevention Centre（三角防災拠点センター）: 3 August 2026) (PDF 271KB) ↗

Rules for interviews and filming

We thank you for your efforts in providing swift and accurate information to residents of the affected areas and to people throughout the prefecture and beyond who have connections to Uki City, despite the impact of the Kumamoto earthquake of 28 July 2026, which has caused power cuts, water shortages, and other difficulties affecting residents' living conditions and communication. We sincerely appreciate your work.

Regarding interviews and filming related to the Kumamoto earthquake of 28 July 2026, we ask for your cooperation with the following matters. Our priority is the smooth handling of disaster response work, the protection of evacuees' privacy, and their physical and mental health. These rules apply to interviews and filming inside shelters and city office buildings.

The following matters will apply from 2 August 2026 (Sunday).

This content may change in the future.

<1 Permitted locations and times for interviews and filming>

Interviews and filming inside shelters and city office buildings are limited to the following facilities, days, and times.

Interviews and filming inside other buildings are not permitted. Thank you for your understanding.

(Added note: 3 August (Monday))

On 4 August (Tuesday) only, interviews and filming are permitted at the 11 shelters open across the city. However, the rules for 'permitted times and application methods' continue to apply.

04 News release (One week since the Kumamoto earthquake of 2026: 3 August 2026) (PDF 264KB) ↗

We have received many questions and offers about meal support for earthquake survivors.

Thank you for your warm support.

From August 3 onwards, if you provide meals, your group must find a location that does not disturb evacuees and others, secure equipment, manage hygiene, and run everything yourselves. We ask you to be self-sufficient and independent.

City staff cannot help with finding a location, organizing lines, or other tasks. You must also dispose of garbage and leftover food yourselves.

You can see the number of evacuees at each shelter here. Some people are staying in cars or elsewhere, so the real number may be larger than the numbers shown. Please consider this when planning meals.

To prevent food poisoning, if you provide meals, take the notes below carefully and consult Kumamoto Prefecture Uki Health Center（熊本県宇城保健所） first. You must submit a meal preparation checklist to Kumamoto Prefecture Uki Health Center（熊本県宇城保健所）.

If you send by email or fax, always call the health center first. (You can submit by hand, email, or fax.)

Meal preparation checklist (Word 22KB)

Meal preparation checklist (PDF 283KB)

(Reference) Information for volunteers providing meals in the disaster zone (Kumamoto Prefecture website)

Notice from Uki Health Center

Information for volunteers providing food at shelters (PDF 103KB) ↗

Watch out for food poisoning when disasters happen (PDF 90KB) ↗

Uki Health Center Environmental Health Division（宇城保健所衛生環境課）

Phone: 0964-32-0598 Fax: 0964-32-2426

Where to ask questions and submit the checklist

An online application system is now available. Please use it.

Online application https://logoform.jp/f/6NTsB

We are starting to accept aid supplies again from August 6

We are restarting aid supply donations from August 6 (Thursday). They were stopped for a time.

Thank you for your warm support.

We are ready to accept supplies. From tomorrow, August 6, we will start accepting donated supplies again from everyone.

However, as before, we only accept from national government, companies, and organizations. We do not accept supplies from individuals at Wing Matsushiro（ウイングまつばせ）.

If you can donate supplies, please contact the Planning Department（企画課）.

Contact: Uki City Planning Department (TEL: 0964-32-1803)

Delivery times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day

Delivery location: Back warehouse of Wing Matsubashii（ウイングまつばせ）(Uki City matsubasemachioono（松橋町大野） number 85)

Join the Uki City（宇城市）Hometown Supporters Group.

Uki City（宇城市）sends thank-you gifts full of local charm to everyone who donates from outside the city.

Many thank-you gifts are available depending on the amount you donate. Please choose the one you like.

Thank you for your continued support of Uki City（宇城市）.

Click the banner link below to open the furusato nōzei support donation page for Uki City（宇城市）.

Amazon furusato nōzei (external link) ↗

Uki City（宇城市）furusato nōzei guide

How to apply for furusato nōzei ↗

The basics of furusato nōzei and how the process works ↗

Furusato nōzei one-stop special exception system ↗

Guide to the furusato nōzei "Local Government My Page" service ↗

How furusato nōzei donations are used, current usage status, and list of donors ↗

Frequently asked questions about furusato nōzei ↗

【August 2025 Heavy Rain Disaster】Notice: Special disaster support donation page now open for furusato nōzei ↗

Uki City is accepting donations, contributions, and local tax payments for the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake.

We ask for your kind support.

Donations will be divided among people affected in Uki City based on how badly they were affected, to help with their living and rebuilding.

1 Period

From August 5 to October 30, 2024 (planned)

2 How to apply

Use the QR code below to fill in the form, or send the application form (Excel 14KB) by email or fax, then transfer the money to the account below.

Application form (external link) ↗

If you do not send an application form, we will treat it as anonymous, and we cannot give you a receipt.

(Note) You may have to pay the bank transfer fee.

[Special account for donations]

Bank: Kumamoto Uki Agricultural Cooperative (Main office, Ordinary account 0002687)

Account name: Uki City 2024 Kumamoto Earthquake Donation Fund, Mayor Naohiro Suematsu

(Uki City 2024 Kumamoto Earthquake Donation Fund, Mayor Suenatsu Naohiro)

Application form format

Excel file: Application form (Excel 14KB)

PDF: Application form (PDF 46KB)

[How to send]

Send by email or fax (0964-27-4124).

2 Tax rules

Donations can receive a donation tax deduction under the Income Tax Law and Local Tax Law, and be treated as a business loss under the Corporate Tax Law.

You can use your bank transfer receipt or the receipt from the city instead of other proof of donation for tax purposes.

For more information, see here ➡ National Tax Agency website (external link)

3 Department in charge (questions)

Welfare Department, Social Welfare Division, Community Welfare Section

Phone: 0964-32-1387, Fax: 0964-27-4124

Email address is here.

This will be used for emergency support and disaster recovery programs by Uki City.

Submit the contribution application form (Word 37KB) to the place below.

[To submit in person]

Main office (2nd floor, window 21, Finance Department）（本庁（2階・21番窓口・財政課））

[To submit by mail]

Zip code 869-0592

Kumamoto Prefecture, Uki City, matsubasemachioono（松橋町大野）, 85

Finance Department, Donations staff

When your contribution is accepted, we will send you a "Contribution acceptance notice" by mail.

3 Payment method

Pay by invoice

The invoice will be sent with the "Contribution acceptance notice".

[Banks that accept Uki City payments]

Kumamoto Uki Agricultural Cooperative, Higo Bank, Kyushu Labour Credit Union, Kumamoto Credit Union

Kumamoto First Credit Union, Kumamoto Bank, Yatsushiro Area Agricultural Cooperative, Uki City Hall (Main office Accounting Department)

We will tell you the payment details when we send the "Contribution acceptance notice".

Department in charge (questions)

General Affairs Department, Finance Division, Finance Section

Phone: 0964-32-1748

Local tax payment

This will be used for Uki City's disaster recovery and rebuilding programs.

More details: Uki City Local Tax Payment

Planning and Promotion Department, Planning Division, Local Creation Section

Phone: 0964-32-1803, Fax: 0964-32-2222

An earthquake occurred at around 4:27 PM today. To prioritize building safety checks and disaster response, counter services at city offices will be closed from July 29, 2026 (Reiwa 8) for the time being.

Facilities with closed counters:

Shiranui Branch Office（不知火支所）

Note: The Shiranui Branch Office（不知火支所）and Ogawa Branch Office（小川支所）buildings were damaged by the earthquake. Their branch office services will move to the following facilities.

● Shiranui Branch Office（不知火支所）→ Shiranui Disaster Prevention Base Center（不知火防災拠点センター）

The latest updates will be posted on the city's official website and other channels as soon as they are available.

We know this causes trouble. Thank you for your understanding.

The Citizen Services window, closed until now, reopens from August 4, 2026 (Tuesday) for temporary service.

Main services we can help with are listed below.

Address changes (moving in, changing address, moving out, etc.)

Family register submissions (birth, marriage, etc.)

Certificates (residence certificate, seal registration certificate, family register certificate, tax certificates)

Passport application and collection

My Number Card procedures (issue application, card face change, renewal, etc.)

Temporary vehicle operation permit application

Temporary opening of the Citizen Services window following the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake ↗

Updated August 5, 2026

● Ogawa branch office → Ogawa Culture Centre Rapport（ラポート）

First, take photos that clearly show the damage.

If a weather disaster has damaged your crops, farm buildings, or machines, a support programme may be activated. Please take photos that show the situation exactly as it is after the disaster.

In recent years, typhoons and heavy rain have damaged farm buildings and machines almost every year.

If damage occurs and you clean up or remove things without taking photos first, it becomes hard to confirm the damage. You may then not be able to receive the support you need.

Therefore, if damage occurs, please take photos that clearly show the damage — whether or not a support programme is activated. The key points to capture when taking photos are listed below.

Record the name of each individual crop, building, or machine you photograph.

For crops:

A wide shot of the whole damaged field — record the affected area.

Close-up shots of the damaged parts (showing the condition of the damage).

For buildings:

A wide shot of the whole damaged building — photograph from 4 directions (front, back, left side, right side).

Close-up shots of the damaged parts. (If photos alone do not make the damage clear, leave a handwritten note explaining the situation.)

Photos showing the building was used for farming. (For farm storage buildings, photos showing farm materials inside are preferred. If a car is parked inside, or many household items are visible, the space used for non-farming purposes — such as a regular garage or household storage — will be excluded from the area eligible for support.)

For machines:

A wide shot of the whole damaged machine.

Close-up shots of the damaged parts (showing the condition of the damage).

A photo of the model number plate or anything else that shows the machine's specifications and capacity.

Photos showing any attachments or additional equipment fitted to the machine.

Passport fees for the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake

If you suffered damage from a disaster where the Disaster Relief Act or Disaster Victim Support Act (called the "Disaster Relief Act etc.") applies, you may have your passport fee waived or reduced if you meet the requirements.

When you apply for a passport, tell the municipal passport office. Note: online applications are not eligible for the reduction.

For more information, check the websites below.

Kumamoto Prefecture website (external link) ↗

Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (external link) ↗

Who can apply (people who meet both conditions 1 and 2 below)

Your home was completely or partially destroyed, or flooded above floor level.

You have a residence record in a city or town where the Disaster Relief Act etc. applies, or you had a residence record in the disaster area when the disaster happened.

Documents you need to apply

Original disaster certificate for your home (issued for each household)

Residence record or family register note (a document that proves where you lived when the disaster happened)

All other documents normally needed for a passport application

Please submit a residence record that says "Individual Number (My Number) not recorded".

From 28 July 2024 (the date the Disaster Relief Act was applied) to 27 July 2025

You can only apply by paper form at the office. Online applications are not allowed.

You must apply for the reduction at the same time as you apply for the passport. You cannot apply for the reduction after you apply for a normal passport. (We do not give money back.)

Applications made before the Disaster Relief Act etc. was applied are not eligible.

The fee reduction is a full waiver. You can apply for the reduction once per disaster.

We are checking buildings for earthquake damage.

What is a building safety check?

Buildings hit by earthquake can fall or lose parts like outer walls in aftershocks. This causes danger to people. A safety check stops this kind of second damage. It is a quick check done right after earthquake.

Building safety checks in Uki City（宇城市）

We need to do checks fast, so we follow these rules:

Areas checked: Not all of Uki City — only 日奈久断層沿いなど建物被害が特に大きいエリア where homes are close together

When: From July 29, 2025 (Wednesday) for about 2 weeks

Checkers are approved by the governor. They look at the outside of buildings to check the structure and things that might fall down.

Note: Checkers work in pairs of 2 and carry ID cards. If you see something wrong, ask to see their ID.

Results are shown on stickers on buildings: red (danger), yellow (caution), green (checked). Everyone — people who live there and people walking by — can see if a building is risky.

For your safety, please understand and help.

Do not go near buildings that might fall. People first.

These checks are quick and happen right after earthquake to stop second damage.

After some time, damage surveys for disaster certificates will start instead.

We are preparing to use the emergency repair program. Please tell the contractor you hired, and do not pay them yet. Wait for our announcement.

To use the program, we will need photos from before and after the repair. Please take and save these photos.

The program covers homes where you were living at the time of the disaster.

When the program rules are decided, we will announce them on the website.

0964-32-1111 ↗

About Safety Net Guarantee No. 4

This is support for small and medium businesses whose sales have fallen due to sudden disasters (natural disasters, etc.), based on Article 2, Section 5, Item 4 of the Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Insurance Law. If approved, you can use credit guarantee association guarantee (100% guarantee ratio) in a separate limit from general guarantees.

Due to the 2024 Kumamoto Earthquake, 宇城市 has been designated as a designated area for Safety Net Guarantee No. 4.

Until Wednesday, November 4, 2024

It takes several days from application to receiving the approval letter. Please apply with time to spare.

You must be a small or medium business operating in a designated area and meet one of the following criteria:

Your sales in the most recent one month after the disaster have fallen 20% or more compared to the same month last year, AND your sales in the three months including the most recent month and the following two months are expected to fall 20% or more compared to the same period last year.

For new business owners or similar who had sales because they were operating before the disaster: sales in the most recent one month have fallen 20% or more compared to the monthly average for the three months immediately before the disaster, AND sales in the three months including the most recent month and the following two months are expected to fall 20% or more compared to the three months immediately before the disaster.

For new business owners or similar who had no sales because they were not operating before the disaster: sales in the most recent one month have fallen 20% or more compared to the monthly average for the three months after the disaster, AND sales in the three months including the most recent month and the following two months are expected to fall 20% or more compared to the three months after the disaster.

Safety Net Guarantee approval applications are generally submitted on your behalf by a financial institution.

Bring the required documents and come to Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division of Uki City Hall（本庁）（宇城市役所商工観光課(本庁)）.

Reception hours: 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM

Applications for approval letters are counter reception only.

Application form for approval (1 copy), monthly sales table and trial balance [see format below]

Documents showing that you are doing business in 宇城市 (for companies: copy of certification of registered matters; for self-employed: copy of final tax return, etc.)

Copy of most recent financial report (for self-employed: copy of most recent final tax return)

Letter of authorization (PDF 43KB) (if applying on behalf of someone other than yourself or your company)

We may ask for other documents as needed.

Table: Safety Net No. 4 form list

Form 4-① (Word 57KB) ↗

Form 4-① (PDF 151KB) ↗

[For Form 4-①] Monthly sales table, trial balance (Word 17KB) ↗

[For Form 4-①] Monthly sales table, trial balance (PDF 247KB) ↗

Forms for new business owners, etc.

Business history less than 1 year 1 month

If there is a period when sales were recorded before the disaster

Form 4-② (Word 57KB) ↗

Form 4-② (PDF 169KB) ↗

[For Form 4-②] Monthly sales table, trial balance (Word 17KB) ↗

[For Form 4-②] Monthly sales table, trial balance (PDF 246KB) ↗

If there is no period when sales were recorded before the disaster

Form 4-③ (Word 57KB) ↗

Form 4-③ (PDF 169KB) ↗

[For Form 4-③] Monthly sales table, trial balance (Word 17KB) ↗

[For Form 4-③] Monthly sales table, trial balance (PDF 246KB) ↗

Approval may be refused due to incomplete documents or other conditions.

This approval does not guarantee credit guarantee.

The approval letter is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. You must apply for management-stabilization-related guarantee with a financial institution or credit guarantee association within the validity period of this approval.

Apart from this approval, each financial institution and credit guarantee association conducts financial review. We recommend consulting in advance with each financial institution and Kumamoto Prefecture Credit Guarantee Association（熊本県信用保証協会）.

For those using the Citizen Services window

We are giving priority to damage to the building and disaster response, so we are reducing the number of available windows, reception hours, and staff. You may have to wait a long time.

If it is not urgent, please visit on another day.

Window: Citizen Services window at Uki City Hall Main Office (Matsushashi Town)（宇城市役所本庁（松橋町）） only

You can enter and leave only at the front entrance.

Here are the main services we can help with:

Address changes (moving in, moving, moving out, etc.)

Family records filing (birth, marriage, etc.)

Certificate issue (resident card, seal registration certificate, family record certificate, tax-related certificate)

Passport application and collection

My Number Card services (issue application, card face change, renewal, etc.)

Temporary car operation permit application

For more information, contact:

Citizen Services: 0964-32-1446

Tax Services, Resident Tax Division: 0964-32-1402

Tax Services, Property Tax Division: 0964-32-1487

The citizen services window, closed after the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake, reopens temporarily from Tuesday, August 4, 2024.

● From Tuesday, August 4, 2024 for some weeks

【Hours】 9 am to 3 pm (closed weekends and holidays)

We distribute blue tarps through ward leaders to homes where the earthquake damaged roof tiles. The tarps are emergency supplies to prevent water leaks and falling tiles.

Who can get them:

Households whose roof tiles were damaged in the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake and need a blue tarp to protect the roof.

How many sheets:

Up to 2 sheets per household.

How to get one:

① Contact your ward leader if you want a blue tarp.

② Your ward leader counts how many the ward needs and asks the city.

③ When the tarps are ready, your ward leader will give them to you.

If farmland or farm buildings are damaged by heavy rain, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, you may be able to use national and city aid to rebuild. Contact Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Division（農林水産課） or your local branch office within two weeks of the disaster.

Farmland — rice fields and fields (abandoned farmland is not eligible).

Farm buildings — mainly irrigation ponds, water intake structures, water channels, and farm roads (two or more properties benefit).

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Division（農林水産課） 0964-32-1111

Misumi Branch Economic and Construction Division（三角支所経済建設課） 0964-53-1111

Ogawa Branch Economic and Construction Division（小川支所経済建設課） 0964-43-1111

Toyono Branch General Reception Division（豊野支所総合窓口課） 0964-45-2111

Who can use this service

How to apply

Make your reservation — When you get a call from the city about which accommodation they have arranged, call the hotel or inn right away to book your stay.

When your reservation is finished, tell the city your dates and the names of everyone staying.

If you cannot make a reservation, the city will arrange again. Please call the city.

Things to know when you use this service

We are providing hotel and inn rooms for people who have lost their homes and want to move out of shelters.

As shelter living continues, we offer "accommodation at hotels and inns" to help ease the strain on your body and mind and give you peace of mind.

Shelter guidance leaflet (PDF 643KB) ↗

People affected by the disaster who want to stay at a hotel or inn

Hotels and inns secured by the national government and Kumamoto Prefecture

The accommodation fee is covered by public funds in principle. You pay for meals, accommodation tax, hot spring tax, and other costs yourself.

Fill in the application form below with the required information and apply.

If it is hard to use the online form, you can apply as follows.

Submit a "Lodging Request Form" to City Welfare Division（1st floor, window 2-2 of main office）（市社会福祉課（本庁社会福祉課地域福祉係 1階2-2窓口）） or a staff member at your shelter. (The city will arrange the accommodation with the facility.)

The accommodation will be available until the shelter closes, for as long as each hotel can accept people. You may be moved to a different hotel depending on the situation, so please understand this in advance.

We may change how we run this service based on talks with other organizations in the future.

1. This is not a full hotel service. For example, you may need to change sheets yourself after a set time, and you must usually buy your own food.

2. You pay for travel around the hotel or inn yourself.

3. When you stay at a hotel or inn, please bring a mobile phone, radio, or other device you can use to get information. Please also check the city website often for help and support news.

4. If your application has false information or we think your application is not right in other ways, we will take steps to ask for all the money back.

0964-32-1111 ↗

For people affected by the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake, we are waiving the fees for various certificates.

Note: Certificates obtained at convenience stores or kiosk machines inside the municipal office building do not qualify for the waiver. (Counter service only.)

Types of certificates with waived fees

Seal registration certificate

Resident record certificate

Seal registration card issue

Family register attachment

Income certificate and income tax certificate

Fixed asset certificates (assessment certificate, tax payment certificate, property register, asset certificate)

Tax certificate

Other tax certificates (business certificate, location certificate, reference materials, etc.)

Disaster certificate or damage certificate (copies accepted)

If you applied for a disaster certificate but have not yet received it, you can show a photo of the damaged building or structures instead (phone photos are OK).

Note: Disaster report certificates do not qualify for the waiver. Please be careful.

2. ID document and other documents normally needed for certificate issue

Waiver period

From 28 July 2024 onwards, for the time being

Main Office Citizen Affairs Division (Window 4)（本庁市民課（４番窓口））, Branch offices' General Counter Division（各支所総合窓口課）, Main Office Tax Division (Window 5)（本庁税務課（５番窓口））

As of 4 August 2024, only the main office has a temporary counter open.

Citizen Affairs Division Window Service Section 0964-32-1446 (direct)

Tax Division Resident Tax Section 0964-32-1402 (direct)

Tax Division Asset Tax Section 0964-32-1487 (direct)

The Self-Defense Force shower machine that is now set up next to Ogawa Disaster Prevention Base Center（小川防災拠点センター） is available with priority for evacuees from the three designated shelters in Ogawa district (Ogawa Disaster Prevention Base Center（小川防災拠点センター）, Ogawa Junior High School, Onobe-da Elementary School).

Non-evacuees can register at the side of the shower machine, but only if there are empty slots.

However, the number of available slots is limited (maximum 450 people), so we may not be able to meet your request.

You may have to wait a long time before your shower time. We ask for your understanding.

We are very sorry for the trouble this causes those affected by the disaster. We ask for your understanding and cooperation. Thank you.

We apologize: child support allowance current status form submission paused due to earthquake

We are announcing the current status form for 2024 child support allowance (dates: August 3–31). Our office window is closed because of the Kumamoto earthquake.

We are very sorry for the trouble this causes residents.

When the office reopens, please come and submit your form.

When we know when we will reopen, we will tell you on the website.

Uki City（宇城市） Welfare Department（福祉部） Children's Future Division（子ども未来課） Benefit Support Section（給付支援係）

0964-32-1404 ↗

Because of the Kumamoto earthquake that happened yesterday, we are putting your safety first. The 2-year-old dental check and the 3–4 month check that were planned for this week are cancelled.

We will tell you the new dates later. Please wait a little.

If you are worried about your child's health or anything else, please talk to the Health Promotion Division（健康づくり推進課）.

Because of the Kumamoto earthquake on July 28, 2024, the Education Committee will close the following facilities for a while. We are doing this to keep users safe and to check what damage has happened.

We know this causes trouble and hardship for users. We ask for your understanding and help.

School gyms in the city（市内小中学校 体育施設）

Disaster prevention centers in the city（市内防災拠点センター）

Lifelong learning facilities in the city（市内生涯学習施設）

Community centers in the city（市内公民館）

Cultural facilities in the city（市内文化施設）

Sports facilities in the city（市内体育施設）

Uki City（宇城市） set up a disaster management office at 4:35 PM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto earthquake that happened that day.

Please pay attention to information sent out by the city from now on.

Due to the 2024 Kumamoto Earthquake（「令和８年熊本地震」），

this workshop is cancelled.

Workshop: Magatama bead-making（勾玉づくり）

Date and time: Saturday, August 8, 2024, starting at 10:00

We are postponing the distribution of the public relations newspaper due to the earthquake.

We will announce the distribution date again as soon as conditions are ready.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.

Child Counselling Room (Children's Centre)

The Children's Centre gives advice to children under 18 years old who live in Uki City and their families.

We have a child and family counsellor and a childcare support coordinator (childcare worker). Please ask us about anything.

Counselling hours

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on public holidays and New Year holidays)

Uki City Shiranuhishi Branch Office（不知火支所） Children's Centre (Address: Uki City shiranuhimachikoura（不知火町高良） 2273-1)

Examples of questions we help with

We just moved here. Can you tell us where we can play together as a family?

Is there somewhere that can look after my child for a short time?

I worry about my child's growth and development.

My child says "I don't want to go to school."

My child has trouble getting along with friends.

We also take advice and reports about "child abuse."

If you find a child you think may be abused, please contact the Children's Centre (phone: 0964-33-1118), or Kumamoto Prefecture Central Child Consultation Office (national toll-free number 189 [Ichiha Yaku] or phone: 096-381-4451, open 24 hours, every day), or Uki Police Station (phone: 0964-33-0110 or emergency: 110).

A report or consultation about abuse is the first step to help the child and their family. Information about who reported it is kept secret.

Updated 3 August 2026

Because Shiranuhishi Branch Office（不知火支所） cannot be used due to the earthquake, the Children's Centre has moved to the first floor of the main office.

To reach us, please call these mobile numbers.

We are sorry for any trouble. Thank you for your understanding.

Contact numbers: 080-8257-5152, 090-1536-2882

August 4 to 7: Please help reduce the amount of waste we collect.

Uki Clean Center（宇城クリーンセンター） has stopped its incinerator because of the earthquake.

From August 4 to August 7, please help reduce waste by putting out food waste only.

We thank you for your understanding and help.

Notice of cancellation of community centre classes (Ukiuki Senior University and Women's Classes) due to Kumamoto earthquake

Due to the impact of the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake, we are checking the safety of facilities and responding to evacuation shelter operations.

Community centre classes are cancelled for the time being.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to those who were looking forward to the classes. We will announce the restart date on our website after we confirm the facilities are safe. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Ukiuki Senior University

Misumi Campus Oota-o Class

Oota-o District Community Hall（大田尾地区公民館）

Misumi Campus Misumi Class

Misumi Disaster Prevention Base Centre（三角防災拠点センター）

Misumi Campus Toobi Class

Rural Environment Improvement Centre（農村環境改善センター）

Misumi Campus Konoura Class

Konoura District Community Hall（郡浦地区市民館）

Misumi Campus Ootake Class

Ootake District Community Hall（大岳地区市民館）

Shiranuhi Class (morning and afternoon)

Shiranuhi Disaster Prevention Base Centre（不知火防災拠点センター）

Matsuhase West Class

Matsuhase West Disaster Prevention Base Centre（松橋西防災拠点センター）

Matsuhase East Class

Matsuhase East Disaster Prevention Base Centre（松橋東防災拠点センター）

Ogawa General Culture Centre（小川総合文化センター）

Toyono Disaster Prevention Base Centre（豊野防災拠点センター）

Misumi Women's Class

Ajisai Class

Himawari West Class

Himawari East Class

Sakura Class

Suzuran Class

Due to the Kumamoto earthquake that happened recently, we are putting the safety of everyone who comes first. We are cancelling the baby and infant health checks and advice services that were planned for this week.

We will tell you the new schedule later. Please wait a little.

If you are worried about your child's health or anything else, please call the Health Promotion Division（健康づくり推進課）.

Thank you for your understanding and help.

Mother and child handbook issue and parenting advice will continue.

Baby and infant health checks and advice services that are cancelled

Tuesday 4 August: 3-year-old health check

Wednesday 5 August: Weaning food class

Thursday 6 August: 1.5-year-old health check

Friday 7 August: 7-month-old health check

0964-32-7100 ↗

On August 3 (Monday) and August 4 (Tuesday), please do not put out burnable garbage if possible.

The Uki Clean Center（宇城クリーンセンター） is now receiving disaster waste from the earthquake, and the amount of garbage coming in is growing. The incinerators were damaged in the earthquake and need repairs. Processing ability cannot keep up. If this continues, we will have to stop accepting garbage.

Please do not put out garbage on August 3 (Monday) and August 4 (Tuesday) if possible. Please put it out on the next collection day instead.

We ask for your understanding and cooperation.

Regular rubbish collection will take place from Thursday 30 July onwards.

※ However, collection may not be possible in some areas depending on road conditions.

Please put only 'regular rubbish' at the rubbish station.

Information about disaster waste will be announced separately.

We are sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sorted waste collection and bulky waste collection will also run as normal.