News
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake that occurred on July 28, 2026.
Liberaware Co., Ltd., a partner in the Ribane Resilience Project, arrived at the disaster site in Kumamoto Prefecture within 24 hours of the earthquake and conducted a drone survey to assess the condition inside the Aeon Mall Kumamoto building.
For the survey, we utilized small drones capable of flying indoors, in confined spaces, and in areas without GPS coverage. We sent the drones into the interiors of buildings that were difficult for people to access and captured the footage needed to assess the extent of the damage.
Primary data documenting the interior of buildings immediately after a disaster has been released
The footage captured at the scene provides valuable firsthand information documenting the conditions inside the building immediately after the disaster.
Liberaware released the video because it believes it is important to share it widely—both to facilitate information sharing among local stakeholders and to serve as a record for evaluating future disaster response efforts.
The footage is data owned by Liberaware that was also used in a video released by the Ministry of Defense.
Send a drone ahead to places where people cannot go
In buildings that have sustained significant damage, there is a risk of collapse or aftershocks, which may prevent people from entering immediately. By sending a small drone ahead, it is possible to assess the extent of damage inside and identify safe entry routes, thereby ensuring safety at the scene and gathering the information necessary for subsequent operations.
Conditions in the disaster-affected areas remain difficult. We sincerely pray for the safety of all those affected and for their swift recovery and reconstruction. At the Livanes Resilience Project, we will continue to foster collaborations that apply technology to solve on-the-ground challenges.