Japanese Government Allocates $150M for Kumamoto Relief

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the cabinet has approved the use of roughly 24.2 billion yen (about $150 million) from the national reserve fund to support the quake‑hit region. The funds will be directed toward rebuilding homes, restoring water services and expanding medical and sanitation facilities in evacuation centres.

Kishida also inspected the affected area by helicopter and visited one of the better‑equipped shelters, emphasizing the government's commitment to accelerate recovery efforts.