10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: A Gathering of Remembrance and Dialogue in Mashiki Town
General Incorporated Association LOVE FOR NIPPON will host "KUMAMOTO 10th SONG OF THE EARTH" in Mashiki Town on April 14, 2026, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Kumamoto Earthquake. The event will feature a symposium on the future of disaster recovery and a memorial candle night, bringing together community members and supporters to reflect on the past decade and discuss the path forward.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 20:00
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General Incorporated Association LOVE FOR NIPPON (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative: CANDLE JUNE) will hold "KUMAMOTO 10th SONG OF THE EARTH" in Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marking 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake.
For the past 10 years, we have gathered every year on the anniversary of the disaster to light memorial candles.
This year, we wish to discuss what the future should look like "beyond the 10-year mark" with as many people as possible, so we will be holding the SOTE Symposium, "10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: Discussing the Future," concurrently with the event.
We will exchange opinions on disaster relief, the nature 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 concluded our "disaster area relief" and are now conducting "reconstruction support" activities in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake. Once again, we are reflecting on what "reconstruction" really means, based on our 15 years of activities in Fukushima.
Various disasters occur in different regions every year, and while words like "kizuna" (bonds) and "reconstruction" are frequently used, we must consider what is truly important from the moment a disaster strikes, and what we must continue to cherish even as memories begin to fade...
We have always valued our encounters at the Kiyama Temporary Housing in Mashiki Town. We have gathered on the anniversary of the disaster to eat together and hold a memorial candle night.
This year, on April 14, at this 10-year milestone, we want to reach out to our various connections once again and talk about what the future should look like "beyond the 10-year mark."
CANDLE JUNE
Event Overview
Name: KUMAMOTO 10th SONG OF THE EARTH
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 14:00–20:00
Venue: Mashiki Town Community Symbiosis Center Kataru (592 Kiyama, Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Organizer: General Incorporated Association LOVE FOR NIPPON
Co-organizers: Kumamoto Earthquake Kiyama Temporary Housing Children's Choir "smile No.1", Wagokoro
Program:
- 14:00 Candle Message Workshop
- 14:00-14:30 "Disaster Prevention Talk" by the Kumamoto Prefectural Police
- 15:00-17:00 SOTE Symposium: "10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: Discussing the Future"
Keynote Speaker: CANDLE JUNE
- 18:00- KUMA TEN Candle Night & LIVE (smile No.1)
- 19:30- Silent Prayer
SOTE Symposium
The SOTE (Song of the Earth) Symposium is a forum for dialogue held throughout the year across Japan. 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.
At the 10-year milestone of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we launched a symposium in Fukushima with the Ministry of the Environment, themed "To the Environment of Fukushima and Beyond." Based on the idea of connecting these efforts as a "line" rather than a "point," the SOTE Symposium continues to be held in various locations.
It was also held in Kumamoto in 2021. This year, marking 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake, we are once again providing a space where people from various positions can sit at the same table to discuss how to apply the 10 years of experience to future town planning, the future of disaster prevention, and what kind of day the anniversary of the disaster should be.
Smile Number One
There was a children's choir at the Kiyama Temporary Housing. It is the children's choir "Smile Number One," which delivered smiles and energy to every corner of Mashiki Town.
Now that they have each grown up, they will reunite at this 10-year milestone to perform a live concert.
Additionally, while various support organizations were active at the Kiyama temporary housing, we will create a space for them to share what they were doing at the time and what they are doing now, fostering interaction.
We will celebrate the 10 years of the children's growth together.
Candle Night
Every year on the anniversary, we light candles made by CANDLE JUNE, as well as candles inscribed with the thoughts of local residents and the dreams of children. At the time, we held these events at the Kato Shrine in Kumamoto Castle and the Kiyama temporary housing, and later continued them at reconstruction housing. The number of participants has increased year by year, and this time, in response to the voices of local mothers, the venue has been changed to one that can accommodate even more people. This "KUMATEN Kumamoto 10 Years" was born from the voices of the residents, not from the intentions of the support organizations.
*Candles used at various locations are recycled and reused.
Interview Application Form (for media):
If you would like to interview the organizer representative or participants, please contact us in advance.
https://forms.gle/MMDhj9knRZxWH25G8
For the past 10 years, we have gathered every year on the anniversary of the disaster to light memorial candles.
This year, we wish to discuss what the future should look like "beyond the 10-year mark" with as many people as possible, so we will be holding the SOTE Symposium, "10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: Discussing the Future," concurrently with the event.
We will exchange opinions on disaster relief, the nature 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 concluded our "disaster area relief" and are now conducting "reconstruction support" activities in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake. Once again, we are reflecting on what "reconstruction" really means, based on our 15 years of activities in Fukushima.
Various disasters occur in different regions every year, and while words like "kizuna" (bonds) and "reconstruction" are frequently used, we must consider what is truly important from the moment a disaster strikes, and what we must continue to cherish even as memories begin to fade...
We have always valued our encounters at the Kiyama Temporary Housing in Mashiki Town. We have gathered on the anniversary of the disaster to eat together and hold a memorial candle night.
This year, on April 14, at this 10-year milestone, we want to reach out to our various connections once again and talk about what the future should look like "beyond the 10-year mark."
CANDLE JUNE
Event Overview
Name: KUMAMOTO 10th SONG OF THE EARTH
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 14:00–20:00
Venue: Mashiki Town Community Symbiosis Center Kataru (592 Kiyama, Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Organizer: General Incorporated Association LOVE FOR NIPPON
Co-organizers: Kumamoto Earthquake Kiyama Temporary Housing Children's Choir "smile No.1", Wagokoro
Program:
- 14:00 Candle Message Workshop
- 14:00-14:30 "Disaster Prevention Talk" by the Kumamoto Prefectural Police
- 15:00-17:00 SOTE Symposium: "10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: Discussing the Future"
Keynote Speaker: CANDLE JUNE
- 18:00- KUMA TEN Candle Night & LIVE (smile No.1)
- 19:30- Silent Prayer
SOTE Symposium
The SOTE (Song of the Earth) Symposium is a forum for dialogue held throughout the year across Japan. 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.
At the 10-year milestone of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we launched a symposium in Fukushima with the Ministry of the Environment, themed "To the Environment of Fukushima and Beyond." Based on the idea of connecting these efforts as a "line" rather than a "point," the SOTE Symposium continues to be held in various locations.
It was also held in Kumamoto in 2021. This year, marking 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake, we are once again providing a space where people from various positions can sit at the same table to discuss how to apply the 10 years of experience to future town planning, the future of disaster prevention, and what kind of day the anniversary of the disaster should be.
Smile Number One
There was a children's choir at the Kiyama Temporary Housing. It is the children's choir "Smile Number One," which delivered smiles and energy to every corner of Mashiki Town.
Now that they have each grown up, they will reunite at this 10-year milestone to perform a live concert.
Additionally, while various support organizations were active at the Kiyama temporary housing, we will create a space for them to share what they were doing at the time and what they are doing now, fostering interaction.
We will celebrate the 10 years of the children's growth together.
Candle Night
Every year on the anniversary, we light candles made by CANDLE JUNE, as well as candles inscribed with the thoughts of local residents and the dreams of children. At the time, we held these events at the Kato Shrine in Kumamoto Castle and the Kiyama temporary housing, and later continued them at reconstruction housing. The number of participants has increased year by year, and this time, in response to the voices of local mothers, the venue has been changed to one that can accommodate even more people. This "KUMATEN Kumamoto 10 Years" was born from the voices of the residents, not from the intentions of the support organizations.
*Candles used at various locations are recycled and reused.
Interview Application Form (for media):
If you would like to interview the organizer representative or participants, please contact us in advance.
https://forms.gle/MMDhj9knRZxWH25G8