JR Kyushu, damage from Kumamoto earthquake expected to exceed 2016 level

JR Kyushu President Yoji Furumiya announced on the 19th that the damage to the company from the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake is expected to exceed that of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, which resulted in an extraordinary loss of approximately 9 billion yen. Ten years ago, the Kyushu Shinkansen was restored after 13 days, but this time the viaduct and rails were severely damaged, and even now, three weeks later, the entire line has not been reopened.

The Kyushu Shinkansen has not been restored between Kumamoto and Shin-Minamata, and remains divided. According to JR Kyushu, structures on the Kyushu Shinkansen were damaged at approximately 900 locations. At a viaduct near the Hinagu Fault in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, the bridge girder shifted and the rail joint came loose. Five pillars supporting the roof of the Shin-Yatsushiro Station building were damaged, and there is a risk of it collapsing in the event of an even bigger earthquake.

At a regular press conference on the 19th, President Furumiya explained that the damage to the structure was greater than in the previous Kumamoto earthquake. ``Structures will cost more to restore and will be out of service for a longer period of time.I think it will have a greater impact than last time,'' he said.

Investigations into the strength of the damaged viaduct are being hurried, and the outlook for reopening the entire Kyushu Shinkansen line, which has been said to be ``difficult to run until August'', is expected to be announced within the next week.