In brief
In the wake of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto, two workers were lost when a blast ripped through Aeon Mall hours after the quake. Their employer, Habita, has issued a public apology and stated that the instructions given were inappropriate. One employee, 22‑year‑old Kurumi Otake, was explicitly named, while the other remains unnamed. The incident highlights the risks of recovery operations in post‑earthquake environments.
Business Operations and Human Life Collide
A powerful 6.8‑magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on 28 July, shattering Aeon Mall and causing 38 deaths. While most visitors had fled the building, two employees from Habita returned to secure cash in a safe. Hours later, a sudden explosion tore through the mall, killing the workers.
Habita’s sales director, Goji Yuse, has apologized to the families, saying the instructions given were “inappropriate, and I truly regret them.” The company also confirmed that it was “considering how to proceed” with the incident.
One victim, 22‑year‑old Kurumi Otake, was identified in the report. Her relative recalled her sense of justice and her willingness to help after her father's death three years ago. The other employee’s identity has not yet been disclosed.
Otake’s relative and family spoke with local media, testifying that had the worker not returned to the building, she might still be with her loved ones. An image of the damaged Aeon Mall hangs in memory of the tragedy.
Habita, founded in 1976, operates over ten stores across several prefectures. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges in post‑disaster recovery operations and the need for clear, life‑protective guidance within company directives.
