Two workers were killed when corporate staff asked them to return to a damaged shopping mall to transfer cash after a devastating earthquake in Kumamoto.
On 28 July a 6.8‑strength earthquake struck the region, and just hours later a blast tore through Aeon Mall in downtown Kumamoto. Twenty‑two‑year‑old Kurumi Otake and a second, unnamed employee were among the 38 people that died in the disaster, including seven at the mall.
Habita, a general goods chain that had been operating the store, told authorities that the two employees had been instructed by the company's sales director, Goji Yuse, to move money from the cash register into a safe inside the building. The directive, given in the chaotic immediate aftermath of the quake, was later described by Yuse as “inappropriate” and led to a formal apology from Habita, whose director has said the company is reviewing its emergency procedures.
Otake’s family and a relative who witnessed the incident describe her as “strong‑willed” and “justice‑oriented.” The relative recalled that Otake understood the urgency of the cash‑transfer order, but said her life would have been spared had she stayed outside. Local media reported that victims were still present in other parts of the mall an hour after the earthquake, while many had evacuated promptly.
Habita, founded in 1976, has more than ten stores across several prefectures. The company has been urged by local officials to bolster safety protocols and ensure that directives during emergencies prioritize staff safety over business logistics.
For the families and the community, the event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of corporate decisions during natural disasters and the need for rigorous emergency management.
