JR Kyushu suggests damage from Kumamoto earthquake may exceed previous amount
Structural damage on the Kyushu Shinkansen reaches approximately 900 locations, and the outlook for reopening the entire line will be announced next week.
Quick Look
- JR Kyushu President Yoji Furumiya said the damage caused by the July 28 earthquake could exceed the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (extraordinary loss of approximately 9 billion yen).
- Approximately 900 structures on the Kyushu Shinkansen were damaged, and there is no prospect that the entire line will be reopened.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, JR Kyushu recorded an extraordinary loss of approximately 9 billion yen. Damage was confirmed to around 900 structures on the Kyushu Shinkansen during this earthquake.
JR Kyushu President Yoji Furumiya announced on the 19th that the damage to the company from the July 28 Kumamoto Earthquake may exceed 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. Regarding the current situation, he said, ``Structures will require restoration costs and the period of suspension will be longer.I think it will have more of an impact than last time.''However, he added, ``I don't know what the future impact will be.''
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 until August'', is expected to be announced within the next week.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The outlook for the reopening of all Kyushu Shinkansen lines will be announced within next week.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- When will all Kyushu Shinkansen lines reopen?
- How much will the final restoration cost be?
