Malls as Mortuaries: Japan's Latest Earthquake Exposes a Sobering Reality The recent earthquake that ravaged Kumamoto has left in its wake a stark reminder of Japan's seismic vulnerability. The 7.
1 magnitude quake, which struck on July 28, claimed at least 36 lives, many of whom were employees of tenant stores within the devastated shopping mall.
Rescue operations ultimately proved ineffective, with only a handful of survivors extracted from the rubble. This grim outcome serves as a testament to Japan's reliance on makeshift emergency response systems.