Kyushu economy braces after downpours hit recovery hopes

Factories and shops across Kyushu have been forced to close after record downpours the region. The impact has spread to agriculture and tourism — and it is feared to become a second blow to the regional economy, on top of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Production at plants was suspended not only in Kumamoto Prefecture, where the Kuma River was flooded, but also in northern Kyushu.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. suspended operations at its plant in Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture, on July 6. The plant was mainly manufacturing materials for eyeglass lenses. There is no prospect of immediate resumption of operations because of the power outages in the area. Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. has suspended operations at its ceramic products plant due to flooding.

A number of factories have voluntarily suspended operations to ensure the safety of their employees, even though their facilities were not damaged. Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. on July 7 suspended production of its Lexus luxury car brand at its plant in Miyawaka, Fukuoka Prefecture, as well as two other parts factories in the prefecture.

Sapporo Breweries Ltd.’s plant in Hita, Oita Prefecture, and the Nagasaki Canon Inc. plant in Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture, also suspended operations and product shipments.

Logistics and communications have also been affected. Yamato Transport Co. suspended its pickup and delivery services for some areas in Kumamoto and Fukuoka prefectures. The company said that in Saga, Nagasaki and Oita prefectures, pickup and delivery services have been delayed.

Sagawa Express Co. said that it has suspended deliveries in some areas of the Kyushu, Shikoku and Chugoku regions. There have also been delays in delivery in those areas.

Power outages and damaged communication lines have made it difficult to get phone and internet connections, and telecommunications companies are scrambling to restore them. They are also hurrying the deployment of mobile base stations. Kyushu Electric Power Co. said on July 7 that its Onagohata hydroelectric power plant in Hita, Oita Prefecture, was flooded.

Many supermarkets and other retail stores were closed due to flooding of roads and their shops.

There are fears that the impact of the heavy rain will be prolonged. Tourist areas have also suffered damage from the heavy rain, and accommodations in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures have received a number of cancellation requests.

To support the tourism industry in the wake of the pandemic, the Kumamoto prefectural government started a promotion campaign on July 6 in which the prefectural government subsidizes part of the accommodations fees in the prefecture. But then the rains came. “This is no longer the time to talk about tourism,” a source close to the prefectural government said.

Damage to agriculture is also serious. According to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, mud and rocks have flowed into greenhouses and rice paddies in southern Kumamoto Prefecture, where the Kuma River flooded.

The Yomiuri Shimbun The remains of a bridge in front of a hotel in Hita, Oita Prefecture, are seen on July 7.