One week has passed since a strong quake hit Kumamoto and the focus, in the wake of ending the search for missing individuals, will be providing support to disaster victims, particularly in preventing disaster-related deaths.

The most pressing issue will be dealing with the extreme heat as Kumamoto recorded a high temperature of 40 degrees.

A woman in her 70s in Hikawa is believed to be the first disaster-related fatality.

On July 30, she was found in her car at home with the gasoline tank empty and the air conditioner stopped. She is believed to have died of heatstroke.

Disaster victims may worry about remaining in their damaged homes, but also hesitate to go to evacuation centers, which may not have air conditioning.

Some may feel uncomfortable being among a large group of people. Pet owners may feel they cannot go to an evacuation........

© The Asahi Shimbun