Japan enlists royal visit, subsidies to revive tourism in quake-hit Kyushu

AI Summary

Japan is using an anticipated visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, alongside subsidies, to support tourism recovery in earthquake-hit Kyushu. In Kumamoto, affected residents and businesses are still recovering from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake and some families remain in temporary accommodation.

Travel companies in southern Japan are pinning their hopes on a business revival following a planned visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to the areas hardest hit by a major earthquake this summer. The imperial couple is scheduled to meet communities in Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, speaking with families who lost their homes and businesses and are currently living in temporary accommodation. The prefecture was at the epicentre of the magnitude 7.1 quake that struck Kyushu island on...