[English] Information about COVID-19 in Kumamoto
Information list about COVID-19
The Covid-19 Risk Level has been lowered to Level 3 (As of September 22)As there were only two new cases of COVID-19 confirmed In
Kumamoto in the period from September 15-21, with only one in which the
infection route was unknown, the risk level has been lowered to a Level 3.
・Guidelines about movement outside of the prefecture will be
relaxed, but people are still asked to avoid areas with the 3 Cs and to
ventilate indoor rooms well.
・If you develop any
cold-like symptoms or a fever, refrain from leaving your home.
・The rules regarding the
hosting of local festivals and events will also be eased. Please continue to
keep infection control in mind and ensure adequate distance between people. - People who are travelling outside the prefecture, or meeting friends they have not seen in a long time should download the Contact-Tracing app, “COCOA
 （External link）”, which was released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
*Kumamoto has adopted a 5-level risk advisory scale for the spread of Covid-19. This scale is split into 5 levels: Level 0: No Warning (Exercise normal precautions) Level 1: Caution (Avoid situations where the 3 Cs overlap) Level 2: Increased Caution (Facilities which host large numbers of people may be closed) Level 3: Alert (Refrain from any non-essential travel) Level 4: Special Alert (Refrain from any non-essential travel, all events should be postponed or cancelled)
Confirmed cases in Kumamoto| As of September 25 | Kumamoto City | Elsewhere in the Prefecture
| Total |
|---|
| No of cases | 257 | 315
|  572 |
|---|
|
No. of Confirmed Cases |
|
Total
572 |
Currently Hospitalized
11 |
|
Total Deaths
8 |
Discharged from Hospital 553 |
|
Mild Symptoms
11 |
Critical Condition
0 | Case 573 (September 23)
- Female in her teens, Tamana
City -
Senior High School Student, Went to Tokyo between Sept. 18-22, Experienced
first symptoms on Sept. 19 Case 572 (September 17) -
Female in her 80s, Amakusa City
- Ate out with relatives on Sept.
4, Experienced first symptoms on Sept. 14 Case 571 （September
15） - Male in his 20s, Kumamoto City -
Company employee, Close contact with a confirmed case Case 570 (September 12) - Male in his 40s, Kikuyo town - Visited the home of the 566th case on Sept. 5, Went to work from Sept. 7-11 - Case 569 (September 12) - Female in her 50s, Kumamoto City - Related to the 538th case (Sept. 2), Tested negative on Sept. 5, Experienced symptoms from Sept. 9 and subsequently tested positive on Sept. 12
- Case 568 (September 12) - Female in her 20s, Kumamoto City - Unknown infection route, Experience symptoms from September 6
- Case 567 (September 11) - Female in her 70s, Kikuyo town - Related to the 566th case, Stayed at an evacuation shelter in Kikuyo on September 6-7, Began experiencing symptoms on Sept. 7
- Case 566 (September 11) - Male in his 80s, Kikuyo town - Unknown infection route, Began experiencing symptoms from Sept. 6, Stayed at an evacuation shelter in Kikuyo on Sept. 6-7
- Case 565 (September 10) - Female in her 20s, Ozu town - Company employee, Attended work until September 4, and on September 8, Began experiencing symptoms on Sept. 8
- Case 564 (September 10) - Female under 10, Tamana city - Related to the 556th case, Went to daycare on September 8
- Case 563 (September 10) - Female in her 30s, Tamana city - Related to the 556th case, Dined out with a co-worker on August 30, Attended work on Sept. 1 and experienced symptoms on the same day, Continued to attend work from Sept. 3
- Case 562 (September 10) - Male in his teens, Arao city - Related to the 559th case, Went to school on Sept. 8 and experienced symptoms the same day, Also attended school on Sept. 10
- Case 561 (September 10) - Male in his teens, Arao city - Related to the 559th case, First symptoms from Sept. 8, Attended school on Sept. 9 and 10
- Case 560 (September 10) - Female in her 40s, Arao city - Related to the 559th case, Went to work from Sept. 8-10, First symptoms on Sept. 9
- Case 559 (September 10) - Male in his 40s, Arao city - Went to work until Sept. 4, First symptoms on Sept. 5
Case 558 (September 10) - Male
in his 30s, Kumamoto City - Unknown infection route, Visited a dining establishment in the city on August 29, First symptoms on Sept. 5 Case 557 (September 10) - Male
in his 50s, Kumamoto City - Unknown infection route, First symptoms on Sept. 3, Continued working until that day Case 556 (September 9) - Male
in his 30s, Tamana City - Dined out in
Kumamoto City on August 28 with the 540th case Case 555 (September 9) - Male
in his 50s, Tamana City - Co-worker of the 543rd case Case 554 (September 9) -
Female in her 30s, Kumamoto City
- Assisted at an acquaintance’s
dining establishment at the end of August before the onset of symptoms Case 553 (September 9) - Female
in her 20s, Kumamoto City - Employee at a dining establishment, Close
contact with a confirmed case Case 552 (September 9) -
Female in her 20s, Kumamoto City
- Related to the 549th
case Case 551 (September 9) -
Female in her 30s, Kumamoto City
- Went to a dining establishment in the city
on August 28 Case 550 (September 9) - Male
in his 30s, Kumamoto City - Travelled in Kansai and Kyushu from August
27-31 Case 549 (September 8) - Male
in his 20s, Kumamoto City - Health Care worker, Unknown infection route Case
548 - September 9 update: Although she originally
tested positive, there were no symptoms present so this case has been removed
from the list of confirmed cases
Case 547 (September 7) - Male
under 10, Kumamoto City - Close contact with the 538th case Case 546 (September 6) - Male
in his 30s, Minamata City - Prefectural Police employee, Went to work on
Sept. 2, has been staying in Kumamoto City since Sept. 3 Case 545 (September 6) -
Female in her 70s, Kumamoto City
- Related to the 544th
case Case 544 (September 6) - Male
in his 70s, Kumamoto City - Unknown infection route Case 543 (September 5) - Male
in his 20s, Kumamoto City - Met with a confirmed case on Sept. 1 Case 542 (September 5) -
Female in her teens, Kumamoto City
- Related to the 539th
case Case 541 (September 5) - Male
in his 20s, Kumamoto City - Family member of a confirmed case Case 540 (September 5) -
Female in her 20s, Kumamoto City
- Part-time worker, went to a
dining establishment in Kumamoto city on Sept. 1 Case 539 (September 5) -
Female in her 40s, Kumamoto City
- Company employee, Unknown
infection route Case 538 (September 4) - Male
in his 50s, Kumamoto City - SDF employee, Contact with a confirmed case Case 537 (September 4) - Male
in his 20s, Kumamoto City - SDF employee, Unknown infection route Case 536 (September 4) -
Female in her 20s, Kumamoto City
- Visited a dining establishment
in the city on August 28 Case 535 (September 4) - Male
in his 30s, Kumamoto City - Related to the Kumamoto City dining
establishment cluster Case 534 (September 3) - Male
in his 30s, Kumamoto City - Visited Fukuoka Prefecture on August 29 Case 533 (September 3) - Male
in his 50s, Kumamoto City - SDF employee, Unknown infection route Case 532 (September 3) - Male
in his 40s, Amakusa City - Amakusa City Hall employee, Unknown
infection route Case 531 (September 3) - Male
in his 20s, Kumamoto City - SDF employee, Unknown infection route Case 530 (September 3) - Male
in his 30s, Kumamoto City - Met with a confirmed case at work on August
28
Past Cases
Consultation CenterKumamoto Prefecture Consultation Center for COVID-19If you experience any of the following symptoms, please do not leave your home and phone Consultation Center for COVID-19
- Advise those who are unsure whether they are experiencing symptoms
- Provide information about COVID-19
- Connect you to a public health center which can arrange for you to visit a medical center (outpatient clinic) to receive a test for COVID-19
Kumamoto Prefecture Consultation Center for COVID-19 (Call Center) 096-300-5909（Available 24/7） |
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 *If you are not confident in your Japanese ability, please first contact the Support Center for Foreign Residents （080-4275-4489）. They can provide a telephone interpretation service.List of available financial supports(June.1) About adapting to a “New Normal” （May 4）10 important guidelines for achieving an 80% reduction in person-to-person contact
Both general businesses and businesses which serve food must implement infection prevention measures outlined in a checklist issued by the prefecture before they will be allowed to re-open.
For EmployersKumamoto COVID-19 Employment Continuation Incentive:
A subsidy will be provided to business owners who are trying to keep
their employees employed during the pandemic. Subsidy amount: 100,000JPY per business owner ・Businesses which have received the “Employment Adjustment Subsidy” (koyō chōsei josei-kin) and/or the “Emergency Employment Stabilization Subsidy” (kinkyū koyō antei josei-kin) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic since April 1. ・Small and Medium size
business owners (including sole proprietors) ・The value of the business (including investments) does not
exceed \1billion. The business also has less than 2,000 employees*1 *1 This includes contract and part-time employees who are employed for a
period of 2 months or more and work full time hours (8 hours per day) and not
just “regular employees”. Application period: Until December
25 (Friday)
If you wish to apply or
ask for more information about this incentive please contact the following:
 Sustainable Benefits scheme （持続化給付金 “Jizokuka kyufu-kin” )Businesses affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic will receive financial benefits. These benefits extend to individuals or businesses which receive income from ventures such as agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, food & drink establishments (restaurants, snack bars), and retail businesses, as well as actors and authors. Online applications for these benefits opened on May 1.
Small and medium businesses can receive ￥2million, while sole proprietors can receive benefits of ￥1million.
“Kumamoto Prefecture COVID-19 Response Fund”Consultations have opened regarding the receipt of unsecured, guarantee exempt, deferred principal loans for up to 5 years, with 3 years interest free. These loans are limited to ￥3million Where to Consult: Your financial institution (Bank or Credit Union), or the Chamber of Commerce
Financial Support for Rent Payments (July 14) 「家賃 支援 給付金（やちん しえん きゅうふきん)」The “Yachin Shien Kyufukin” is a financial subsidy for businesses whose sales have decreased due to the impact of Covid-19.
Eligible Persons:
Businesses (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Non-Profit Organizations, Social Welfare Offices etc.)
Businesses with a sole proprietor (Including Freelance work)
Subsidy Amount:
The amount received will be calculated based on your rent for one month.
Businesses can receive up to a maximum of ￥6 million.
Businesses with a sole proprietor can receive up to a maximum of ￥3 million.
Application Period: July 14 2020 – January 15 2021
Applications should be submitted online（External link）
Kumamoto Prefecture’s available supports in the event of temporary lay-offsThe prefecture will provide up to ¥300,000 to workers who face a loss of income due to being temporarily laid-off from work or asked to self-isolate at home.
1.Subsidy for complying with temporary lay-off request -休業要請協力金 ” Kyūgyō yōsei kyōryoku-kin”
A subsidy of ¥100,000 will be granted to workers who are requested to stop going to work and comply with this request.
This financial support is being paid due to the current requests for people to stay at home and avoid going outside for non-essential reasons, as well as for the requests for business closures at this time.
2.Subsidy to assist in the continuation of operations –熊本県事業継続支援金 “Kumamoto ken jigyo keizoku shien-kin” A maximum of ¥200,000 will be paid to corporations which are not covered by the national “Sustainable Benefit Scheme” (jizoku-ka kyūfukin), and whose sales have decreased by between 30-50% when compared to the same period last year. Individual businesses can receive a maximum of ¥100,000 in the same circumstances.
It is hoped that these supports will be able to help the many people that have been affected by the spread of COVID-19, including both workers who face temporary disruption to their employment, and to the suppliers of companies.
*In combination of both 1. And 2., corporations can receive up to ¥300,000 while individual businesses can receive up to ¥200,000 in financial support.
Special Consultation Center for Workers [特別労働相談窓口：Tokubetsu Roudou soudan madoguchi] This Center can assist with
issues which arise for both employers and employees due to the COVID-19
outbreak.
This service is available for
job seekers, employees and employers
Consultation Hours： Weekdays 8:30 – 17:00
Phone： 096-352-3865
Special Arrangements for Employment
Adjustment subsidies [雇用調整助成金 Koyou cyousei jyoseikin] Businesses
may be forced to temporarily reduce their activities due to economic reasons
and employees may be granted temporary leave, asked to transfer workplaces or asked to participate in training courses during this time. Subsidies to cover part of the employees’ wages are available in these special circumstances.
- For
Business owners who would like to avail of these special provisions -
Businesses affected by the
COVID-19 outbreak Contact: Kumamoto Labor Bureau Employment Policy
Division TEL：096-312-0086（Consultation Hours: Weekdays 8:30 – 17:00)
Special subsidies for employee training
outside of work hours (Teleworking course, Workplace Awareness Course)
[時間外労働等改善助成金 Jikangai roudou nado kaizen jyoseikin] To
prevent the further spread of COVID-19 special subsidies will be made available
for employees to undertake special training courses with the goal of allowing
businesses to introduce teleworking (work from home) and to establish
regulations for special leave. *For
detailed information on the courses available, please see the information
below.
Contact: (1)Teleworking
Course： The
Telework Consultation Center （TEL：0120-91-6479） (2)Workplace
Awareness Course： Kumamoto
Labor Bureau, Office for Working Environment and Equality （TEL：096-352-3865）
Subsidies for Elementary School Leave [小学校休業等対応助成金 syougakkou kyugyou nado taiou jyoseikin] There is
a subsidy system in place to allow guardians of elementary school students to
take leave in order to care for their child/children during the school
closures. In accordance with the Labor Standards Act, this would be paid leave
in addition to an employee’s regular annual paid leave.
*For more
details on each grant, please see the contact information below. Apply at: School Leave Grants Center Application period: March 18 (Wed.) – June 30
(Tues.) 2020
For WorkersWelfare Loan System [生活福祉資金貸付制度 Seikatsu fukushi shikin kashitsuke seido ]
Each household can receive a
one-time stipend of 100,000yen
For applications and
consultations please contact your municipal Social Welfare Council （10：00 – 16：00）
Unemployment Insurance [失業保険 Shitsugyou hoken ]
The
benefits you can receive vary depending on your salary and your number of years
of service. However, you can apply to receive between 50-80% of your wage for 3
months, if you experience job loss during this time.
Housing Security Benefits [居住確保給付金 kyojyu Kakuho kyufukin ] It is
possible to receive a loan to pay your rent for 3 months
Please
Contact your local town/city hall for more details
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For Single ParentsIf you
have concerns about your ability to live or raise your child/children amidst
this outbreak, please contact one of the centers listed below.
- Kumamoto Single Parent Family Welfare
Council（096-331-6737）
- Your local Welfare or Ward Office [福祉事務所 Fukushi jimusyo ]
Financial
Support
- Welfare Loans for Parents and Children [母子父子寡婦福祉資金の貸付 boshi fushi kafu fukushi shikin no kashitsuke ]
※It may be possible to receive “Living
Benefits” when there are changes to a parent’s situation such as temporary
closures of schools, childcare services or the workplace. Please contact your town/city/ward office for further details
Childcare
Options
- “After School Club” for elementary school
children in 1st – 3rd grade who cannot stay at home
during the day due to their parent(s) working or being ill.
- A “Daily Life Support” subsidy is available
for single-parent households who must use childcare services while the parent
is ill or attending school.
- The Family Support Center provides a
service where they match people who would like to have their children looked
after with people who would like to perform childminding duties. (paid service)
Contact Details: Department of Health and Social Services, Child and Youth Support Division [健康福祉部 子ども未来課 Kenkou-fukushi-bu Kodomo mirai ka ]TEL：096-333-2227
For Student Students who are facing financial difficulties may be eligible to receive a JPY50,000 subsidy (Applications are open until November 30)Eligible persons: Students attending
vocational school, Japanese language school or university with an
“International Student” visa status
To be eligible you must have part-time
employment and meet the following criteria in the period between January and
October of 2020:
1.
Your income has fallen by
JPY50,000 or more.
2.
The income you received in the
lowest month must be half of that of the month in which you received your
highest income. This difference must be greater than \50,000
3.
When compared with the month in
which you received the highest salary, your income has dropped by JPY45,000 or
more in February or March.
Subsidy amount: JPY50,000 per person
Necessary documents
1. Subsidy application form*
2. Part-time job income report (From
January 2020 until the present)*
*These documents can be downloaded from the
Kumamoto government website
3．A copy of your pay slip or of the page of
your bankbook which shows your received salary
4．A copy of the passbook for the account in
which you will receive the subsidy
5．A copy of your student ID
6．A copy of your Residence Card
Application period: August 19, 2020 – November 30, 2020
How to apply: Place the documents in an envelope and
mail it to the following address
Address: 〒862-8570 熊本県企画課 大学生等給付金係
Kumamoto Pref. Kikaku-ka
Daigakusei kyufukin kakari
（The documents will arrive if addressed like this, even without a
street name）
Please contact if you have any issues completing the application form please contact the Support Center and we can assist you.
”Gakusei Shien Kyufu-kin” Student Support Benefits 学生支援給付金Financial support is available for students who are facing financial difficulties with continuing their studies due to a decrease in income from part-time work.
Eligible students：Students of public and private universities (including graduate schools), junior colleges, technical schools, specialized schools (E.g. Exchange students attending a Japanese language school) who are reliant on the income from part-time work to pay their tuition fees Grant amount：Students from a household which is exempt from Residence Tax* - ￥200,000 Other students - ￥100,000 *Disabled persons, minors, widows and widowers who receive whose total income for the previous year was less than ￥1.25million and who receive welfare payments
For more information, please consult with your educational institution.
Lifestyle Information Deferring payment of water and sewage chargesDue to the spread of COVID-19, municipalities have been ask to allow people to defer payments of their water and sewage bills if they become unable to pay.
Please contact the Water and Sewage Department in your area for more details
Prefectural Tax Exemption for those who face financial difficulties due to COVID-19This tax exemption is applicable to:
・People whose families have been infected with COVID-19, or who have been infected themselves
・Facilities where furnishings and other items had to be discarded by a disinfection team, following a confirmed case of COVID-19
・Businesses which were forced to close or have gone out of business
・Businesses whose income has decreased
Please contact the Tax Collection Division in your area for more details.
Information from the immigration BureauRegarding medium to long-term residents who are facing difficulties returning to their home countries at the end of their Period of Stay (Information as of May 21)
You may apply to change to a 6-month “Designated Activities” visa
Students who have graduate since January 1 2020 may acquire part-time work
Former technical trainees should speak to their supervisory organization about their options
Application for an Extension to your Period of Stay (information as of May 12)●Regarding applications for a change to Status of Residence or extension of Period of Stay（ExternalLink） The application period for visa changes has been extended until 3 months after the original expiration of Period of Stay.
●In the case that you have already applied for the (above) extension and have a Residence Card The period in which the results of your application will be released (and you will receive your new Residence Card) has been extended by 3 months
●Status of Residence: It is possible to renew your Period of Stay if you face difficulties returning to your country due to working as an EPA Nurse or care worker, provided that the job category does not change and you continue to be employed at the same institution or facility as you have been up until now.
Employment support for Technical Interns who are having difficulties continuing their practical training （Updated: April 20）Many technical interns are facing unemployment due to the spread of COVID-19 or having difficulties continuing their practical training during this time. Many skilled foreign workers also must find new employment. Once you have decided on a job, you can be employed on a “Designated Activities” visa for up to one year. If you would like to continue working in Japan, please contact the Immigration Bureau or the Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT) for more information.
Fukuoka Immigration Bureau 092-717-5420
Foreign Resident General Information Center 0570-013904（Open weekdays 08:30-17:15）
OTIT Call Center 03-3453-8000（Open weekdays 09:00-17:00）
Technical Trainees who are unable to return home （information as of March 10）
1）People who cannot leave Japan It is possible to change your Status of
Residence to “Short Stay” or “Designated Activities” You may not be in employment on a “Short
Stay” status. If you receive “Designated Activities” it
is possible to continue working at the same job you have been doing until now.
2）People who cannot take their Technical
Training exam It is possible to change your Status of
Residence to “Designated Activities” and continue working at your current place
of employment until it becomes possible to take the exam and progress to the
next level of training.
3）Those who are unable to do the preparations
to change their Status of Residence to ”Specific Skilled Worker (i)” may change
their status to “Designated Activities” until they are ready
4）Those who wish to change their Status of
Residence to “Technical Training (iii)” can do so if they undergo training at a
company which is recognized as being “excellent”
Japanese Vocabulary relating to COVID-19クラスター Kurasutaa Cluster (A group of infections in one
area) オーバーシュート
Oobashuuto Overshoot (The number
of patients becomes too much for hospitals to handle) ロックダウン Rokkudaun Lockdown (A city/town/municipality shut
down) 緊急事態宣言 Kinkyuu jitai Sengen “Declaration of a State of Emergency” (a
declaration issued by the government in March, based on the revised Special
Measures About Influenza Law, which came into force in March. The Prime
Minister designates the target area and time period). 買い占め Kaishime “Bulk-buying” - when one person buys a large quantity of a single product 自粛 Jishuku “Self-restraint” - To be aware of your own actions and the impact they might have (e.g. Deciding to stay home and keep social distance during this time) 不要不急の外出 Fuyou fukyuu no gaishutsu ”Non-essential journeys” - Leaving your home for any purpose other than shopping, work or medical visits. コロナ禍 Korona-ka “Corona Disaster” - A situation in which there is a crisis caused by COVID-19. This is used to refer to social, political and economic crises, as well as personal anxieties and losses. “Ka” in this case, means “disaster”. ソーシャルディスタンス Sousharu-disutansu “Social Distancing” - Avoiding person-to-person contact. 三密 Sanmitsu "The 3 Cs" - The three factors which increase the risk of COVID-19 spreading: “Closed (spaces with poor ventilation)”, “Crowded (places with many people”, and “Close-contact settings (such as close-range conversations)”
Call Center for foreign visitors to JapanCall Center for foreign visitors to JapanA 24-hour hotline to
provide information about COVID-19 to travelers and to deal with any emergency
issues. Consultation Available
in English, Korean and Chinese
Japan Visitor Hotline（External link） 050-3816-2787(24hours)
Safety tipsThe disaster information app for foreign travelers in Japan, “Safety tips” has expanded its language support to include 14 languages
New supported languages: Khmer, Burmese and Mongolian
Other supported languages: English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Tagalog and Nepalese
The app is free to use The app notifies the user of the following:
Earthquake early warnings, tsunami warnings, severe weather warnings, volcanic eruptions, heat advisories, issues of national security (such as missile launches), and evacuation advisories
Download the app here
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