The Digital Agency has published guidance on applying online for disaster certificates, known as risai shomeisho, for people affected by the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake ^[1]. These certificates are issued by municipal mayors to certify the degree of damage to a home and are required when applying for disaster recovery support payments, as well as reductions or deferrals of taxes, insurance premiums and public utility fees ^[1]. According to the notice, applicants can use a My Number card to apply through Myna Portal, or alternatively apply online through each municipality's own system, avoiding the need to visit a government office and wait in person ^[1]. The Digital Agency cautions that whether Myna Portal applications are accepted depends on the municipality, so residents should check with their local government; application methods other than online should be confirmed on each municipality's official website or disaster information site ^[1].

As of November 2, 2026, the Digital Agency listed the municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture that have been designated under the Disaster Relief Act for this earthquake and that offer online applications for disaster certificates ^[1]. These include Kumamoto City, Yatsushiro City, Minamata City, Kikuchi City, Uto City, Kamiamakusa City, Uki City, Amakusa City, Koshi City, Ozu Town, Kikuyo Town, Kosa Town, Ashikita Town, and Tsunagi Town, each offering applications via Myna Portal and/or a dedicated municipal online system ^[1]. The agency noted that this information was last updated on November 4, 2026, and that availability may change, so readers should check each municipality's official website for the latest status ^[1]. Municipalities not listed are still being confirmed, and the agency said it will update the list as information becomes available ^[1].

Separately, Hikawa Town announced it plans to conduct a comprehensive household survey and that, for now, residents there do not need to apply for a disaster certificate; details are available on the town's own emergency information page ^[1].

Source credit 出典：「令和8年熊本地震罹災証明書（り災証明書）のオンライン申請について」（デジタル庁）（https://www.digital.go.jp/news/f83a8d24-4c79-4c47-b768-6a2435c3d350）、PDL1.0（https://www.digital.go.jp/resources/open_data/public_data_license_v1.0）を加工してJapan News (j.apan.news)が作成 This article is Japan News's own English summary of the Japanese original. It has been translated and edited by Japan News; it is not an official translation, and the Digital Agency did not write or review it.