From Aug 30, 2026 the app also covers boarding and disembarking; Government AI Gennai extended to Sept 30
Japan's Digital Agency set up its internal disaster response headquarters at 18:20 on July 28, 2026, and has been sending its Disaster Response Digital Support Team (D-CERT) to the affected area since July 29. D-CERT proposes and implements digital support measures based on what the disaster area actually needs. Its work so far includes a tool to streamline data entry for B-PLo, the new relief-supply system used by municipal staff for procurement and transport, and a dedicated app for people staying on Hakuo II, a private vessel chartered by the Ministry of Defense, that speeds up check-in when they temporarily leave the ship. From August 30, 2026, the same app is also used for check-in when boarding and disembarking, not only for temporary shore leave. The Digital Agency says it will keep working with Kumamoto Prefecture and others to improve convenience for disaster victims and reduce the paperwork burden on staff on site. From July 29 to September 7 the deployment totaled 214 person-days (184 by 27 Digital Agency staff, 30 by 8 private-sector personnel), and four agency staff were still on site as of September 7. Separately, Government AI "Gennai", provided on an emergency basis to affected municipalities, was initially planned to end after about three weeks but has been extended to September 30.
For foreign residents who find filling in Japanese forms or speaking with staff stressful, moving check-in to an app reduces the burden. If you are staying on Hakuo II, the dedicated app is used for boarding and disembarking check-in from August 30, 2026, so follow the instructions given by the ship's staff. A disaster victim certificate (risai shomeisho) is required to apply for support such as the reconstruction support payment for disaster victims and reductions or deferrals of taxes, insurance premiums and utility charges — and it can be filed online through Mynaportal and each municipality's system. That means no queuing at a counter, which helps if work or evacuation life leaves you little time. Note that online filing requires a My Number Card, so check that you have it along with your residence card. Government information systems were confirmed to be operating normally as of 09:00 on August 4, 2026, so online procedures are available.
On Sept 12, 2026 the JMA raised Mt. Tokachidake (Hokkaido) to Eruption Alert Level 3 (do not approach the volcano). Beware large ballistic ejecta within about 3 km of Crater 62-2 — what hikers, travelers and residents should do now.
On September 11, 2026, Japan's Cabinet Office applied the Disaster Victims Livelihood Recovery Support Act to five Chiba cities hit by the August 2026 heavy rain. Households whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged can apply for support payments.
On Sept 9, 2026 Japan's Cabinet Office announced the Disaster Relief Act now applies to Nagoya City, Aichi (from Sept 8) and Yakushima Town, Kagoshima (from Sept 4) after Typhoon No. 24 and frontal heavy rain. Shelters, emergency housing and home repairs are publicly funded — foreign residents and travelers qualify regardless of nationality.
Source:
Digital Agency website (Response status regarding the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, September 7)This article was edited and written by freegent Inc. based on the source above.