Kumamoto

Kumamoto City is the "earthquake city." For Kumamoto residents, "2016" is a special year. April 14, 2016, 21:26. Magnitude 6.5 earthquake. Foreshock. April 16, 2016, 01:25. Magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Main shock. Right under Kumamoto City. 277 deaths. 2,809 injuries. For Kumamoto residents, the "earthquake" isn't the past. It's the present. Kumamoto residents recovered from the earthquake. But that experience changed their view of "cars." In 2016, the Kyushu Expressway was damaged. Bridges broke. Roads cracked. Kyushu Shinkansen derailed. For Kumamoto residents, "transportation" is fragile. Don't know when it will break. For Kumamoto residents, cars are "evacuation tools." In 2016, many people evacuated by car. Slept in cars. Shelters were full. For Kumamoto residents, cars are "second homes." But not "hobbies." Kumamoto is in central Kyushu. But circuits are far. Nearest is Autopolis (Oita Prefecture, about 120km). If Kumamoto residents want to do motorsport, need to leave the prefecture. About 1,000km to Fuji Speedway (about 11 hours). About 700km to Suzuka Circuit (about 9 hours). For Kumamoto residents, motorsport is a "distant world." Kumamoto residents live with memories of "earthquake." "Safety" over "speed." "Survive" over "enjoy." For Kumamoto residents, the "risk-taking culture" called motorsport is far.