10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: Commemoration and Dialogue Gathering in Mashiki Town

LOVE FOR NIPPON (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: CANDLE JUNE) will hold "KUMAMOTO 10th SONG OF THE EARTH" in Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, on April 14, 2026 (Tuesday), marking 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake.

For 10 years, we have gathered on the anniversary of the disaster to light a commemorative candle night.

This year, we want to discuss the ideal future beyond these 10 years with more people, and will hold it concurrently with the SOTE Symposium "10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: Discussing the Future." We will exchange opinions on disaster victim support, the state of reconstruction, disaster prevention, and community development.

*SOTE is an abbreviation for SONG OF THE EARTH.

Organizer's Comment

10 years have passed since the Kumamoto Earthquake.

We have ended our "disaster victim support" and are engaged in "reconstruction support" activities in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake. We are re-examining what "reconstruction" truly means, based on our 15 years of activities in Fukushima.

Various disasters occur every year in different regions.

While words like "bonds" and "reconstruction" are often used, what are the essential things to cherish from the moment of disaster, and what should be remembered as time passes and things are forgotten?

We have cherished the encounters we've had every year at the Kiyama temporary housing in Mashiki Town. We have gathered on the anniversary, shared meals, and held a commemorative candle night.

On April 14th this year, at the 10-year milestone, we want to reach out to various connections and discuss the ideal future beyond these 10 years.

CANDLE JUNE

Event Overview

Name: KUMAMOTO 10th SONG OF THE EARTH
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 14:00 - 20:00
Venue: Mashiki Town Community Center Kataru (592 Kiyama, Mashiki Town, Kumamoto)
Admission: Free
Organizer: LOVE FOR NIPPON
Co-organizers: Kumamoto Earthquake Kiyama Temporary Housing Boys and Girls Chorus Group "smile No1", Wagokoro

Content:
・ 14:00 Candle Message Workshop

・ 14:00-14:30 "Disaster Prevention Talk" by Kumamoto Prefectural Police

・ 15:00-17:00 SOTE Symposium "10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake, Discussing the Future"
Keynote Speech: CANDLE JUNE

・ 18:00- Kuma Ten Candle Night & LIVE (smile No.1)

・ 19:30- Moment of Silence

SOTE Symposium

The SOTE (Song of Earth) Symposium is a forum for dialogue held throughout Japan year-round. Each time, participants from various backgrounds, including corporations, government, and students, gather to share lessons learned from disasters and consider how to apply them to future disaster prevention and community development.

On the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we launched a symposium in Fukushima with the Ministry of the Environment, themed "Fukushima, Towards a Better Environment." The SOTE Symposium continues to be held in various locations, connecting these initiatives not as isolated "points" but as a continuous "line."

Kumamoto hosted an event in 2021. This year, marking 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake, we are creating a space where people from diverse backgrounds can discuss at the same table, considering how to leverage the 10 years of experience for future community development.