Key Facts
• Taisuke Ono assumed office as Yatsushiro Mayor on September 4, 2025.
• Ono defeated incumbent Hiroo Nakamura by over 14,000 votes in the August 31 election.
• Election results: Taisuke Ono – 36,635 votes; Hiroo Nakamura – 21,969 votes.
• Heavy rains in August caused 132 homes to be fully or partially destroyed in Yatsushiro.
• 1,445 homes in the city experienced above-floor flooding, the highest in Kumamoto Prefecture.
• On his first day, Ono visited the Ryuhou district, severely affected by landslides.
• Landslides left debris up to 1.5 meters high in some homes, delaying cleanup efforts.
• Disaster waste management issues include slow debris removal, requiring better operational methods.
• Ono emphasized the need to adapt cleanup strategies to local conditions.
• The mayor plans to increase transparency in city governance through daily media briefings.
• Ono livestreamed his first day at city hall on YouTube to promote open communication.
Summary
Taisuke Ono officially became the mayor of Yatsushiro on September 4, 2025, following a decisive election victory. On his first day, he prioritized addressing the aftermath of August’s record-breaking heavy rains, which caused significant damage, including 132 destroyed homes and 1,445 cases of above-floor flooding. Visiting the Ryuhou district, Ono observed severe landslide damage and highlighted the need for tailored cleanup strategies, particularly for disaster waste management. He also pledged to enhance government transparency, offering daily media briefings and livestreaming city hall activities. Ono’s proactive approach underscores his commitment to disaster response and open governance.
