Japan designates the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake disaster a "specified emergency disaster" (特定非常災害) by cabinet order — 5 special measures take effect, including extension of licence validity periods and of the period for deciding on an inheritance
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
A cabinet order promulgated and put into force on August 7, 2026 designated the disaster caused by the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake as a specified emergency disaster, so that 5 special measures apply: extension of the validity periods of permissions and authorisations (to January 27, 2027 at the latest), exemption from liability for performing obligations (where performed by November 27, 2026), deferral of decisions to commence corporate bankruptcy proceedings (until July 27, 2028), extension of the period for deciding whether to accept or renounce an inheritance (until March 31, 2027), and exemption from civil conciliation filing fees (until June 30, 2029).
Key facts
| Date of promulgation and entry into force of the cabinet order | August 7, 2026 (adopted at a cabinet meeting, promulgated and put into force the same day) |
|---|---|
| Date the specified emergency disaster occurred | July 28, 2026 |
| ① Extension of expiry dates of permissions and authorisations | The period of validity of permissions, authorisations and the like that have a validity period, such as driving licences, is extended to January 27, 2027 at the latest. Permissions and authorisations expiring on or after July 28, 2026 are covered, and the specific items, areas and post-extension expiry dates are designated by public notice of each ministry and agency. Even for a permission or authorisation for which there is no public notice, or for a person outside the areas designated in a public notice, an extension of the expiry date may be granted on application (申出) |
| ② Exemption from liability for performing obligations | Where an obligation under laws and regulations that has a performance deadline — such as submitting a business report or notifying the suspension or closure of a pharmacy — could not be performed within the time limit because of the specified emergency disaster, no administrative or criminal liability is imposed provided it is performed by November 27, 2026 |
| ③ Special rule on decisions to commence corporate bankruptcy proceedings | For a corporation whose debts came to exceed its assets as a result of the earthquake, even if a creditor files for the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings, the court will not issue a decision to commence bankruptcy proceedings until July 27, 2028, except where (1) the corporation is in liquidation or (2) the corporation is unable to pay its debts |
| ④ Extension of the period for accepting or renouncing an inheritance | For heirs who had their address in a municipality (市区町村) to which the Disaster Relief Act (災害救助法) was applied in connection with the earthquake, the period for deciding whether to accept or renounce an inheritance that expires on or after July 28, 2026 is extended to March 31, 2027 |
| ⑤ Exemption from civil conciliation filing fees | A person who had an address, residence, place of business or office in a municipality to which the Disaster Relief Act was applied is exempt from paying the fee when filing a civil conciliation case with a court over a civil dispute arising from this earthquake between July 28, 2026 and June 30, 2029 |
| Enquiries | If the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' dedicated web page is difficult to access, the 「きくみみ熊本」 toll-free line 0120-091-110 (weekdays 9:00–16:45; for the time being also open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) |
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On August 7, 2026 the Japanese government adopted at a cabinet meeting the 「令和八年熊本地震による災害についての特定非常災害及びこれに対し適用すべき措置の指定に関する政令」 (cabinet order on the designation of a specified emergency disaster in respect of the disaster caused by the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake and of the measures to be applied to it), and promulgated and put it into force the same day. Under the 「特定非常災害の被害者の権利利益の保全等を図るための特別措置に関する法律」 (Act on Special Measures for Preserving the Rights and Interests of Victims of Specified Emergency Disasters, 平成8年法律第85号), the cabinet order designates the disaster caused by the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake as a specified emergency disaster and applies five special measures to it. The date on which the specified emergency disaster occurred is July 28, 2026. The measures applied are ① extension of the expiry date of permissions, authorisations and the like that have a validity period, such as driving licences; ② exemption from liability for administrative obligations that could not be performed within the time limit; ③ a special rule on decisions to commence bankruptcy proceedings for corporations; ④ extension of the period for deciding whether to accept or renounce an inheritance; and ⑤ exemption from the fee for filing a civil conciliation case. The specific permissions and authorisations, areas and post-extension expiry dates are designated separately by public notice of each ministry and agency, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省) compiles and announces what has been designated.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
Will the validity period of my driving licence be extended automatically?
The cabinet order provides that the period of validity of permissions and authorisations may be extended to January 27, 2027 at the latest, and the specific types of permission and authorisation, the areas covered and the post-extension expiry dates are set separately by public notice of each ministry and agency. What is set by public notice is compiled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and announced from time to time on its dedicated web page and elsewhere. Even for a permission or authorisation for which there is no public notice, or for a person outside the areas designated in a public notice, an extension may be granted on application.
Who is covered by the extension of the period for renouncing an inheritance?
It covers heirs who, as of July 28, 2026, had their address in a municipality to which the Disaster Relief Act was applied in connection with this earthquake, and a period for deciding that expires on or after July 28, 2026 is extended to March 31, 2027.
Which disputes does the civil conciliation fee exemption apply to?
It covers civil disputes arising from the disaster caused by the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake, where a person who had an address, residence, place of business or office in a municipality to which the Disaster Relief Act was applied files a civil conciliation case with a court between July 28, 2026 and June 30, 2029. The guidance states that details should be enquired about at the nearest court.