Habita Apologizes After Ordering Workers Back Into Mall Before Fatal Blast

Habita, a variety store operator based in Kumamoto, admitted on August 3 that it ordered two employees to return inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto after they had evacuated following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on July 28. Both workers were killed in a gas explosion that ripped through the mall approximately 80 minutes later. The company apologized to the bereaved families, acknowledging the instruction was inappropriate and expressing deep regret.

What Habita told employees to do

After the earthquake struck at 4:27 p.m. on July 28, staff evacuated the mall. About 50 minutes later, Habita sales manager Koji Yuse instructed the store manager to tell the two employees to return and place the day’s cash receipts in the safe on the second floor. One victim, 22-year-old Kurumi Otake, told her aunt and cousin she had to go back because the company ordered her to secure the money. The explosion occurred around 5:50 p.m., killing both employees along with five others at the mall.

Company’s admission and apology

Habita representatives attended Otake’s wake on August 2 and provided a written explanation to her family. Sales manager Koji Yuse, 64, told reporters: “The instructions given at the time were inappropriate, and I truly regret them.” He stated the company had given similar instructions to employees at three other stores in the prefecture. Yuse pledged that the firm will prioritize evacuation going forward and ensure no one returns to buildings after earthquakes.

Aeon’s evacuation protocol contradicts the order

Aeon Mall’s emergency manual explicitly states employees must not re-enter the building after evacuation. Aeon president Yoshida Akio confirmed on July 29 that the protocol was in place. Yet Habita’s instruction contradicted this policy. Otake’s family questioned whether the employer prioritized employee safety, noting that if she had not returned, she would still be alive. The company said it is reviewing its emergency response policies and investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal instruction.

The human toll and broader impact

The July 28 earthquake killed 38 people across Kumamoto Prefecture. Seven died at Aeon Mall Kumamoto alone. Otake was described by relatives as a bright, sincere, and responsible young woman who supported her mother after her father died three years ago. A second Aeon mall employee also died in the explosion; the company has not publicly identified this worker. Habita operates 15 variety stores across Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Saga, and other prefectures.

Final Thoughts

Habita’s admission that it ordered workers back into a dangerous building after an earthquake raises serious questions about corporate responsibility during disasters. The company’s apology and pledge to change procedures come too late for the two employees who died following the instruction.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.