Key Points
- The community exchange center “Papanobapabapars” in Misato, Kumamoto, was severely damaged by an earthquake in July 2026, just 10 days before its scheduled opening.
- Owner Nobuyuki Miura has decided to remove the building’s second floor and rebuild as a single-story structure to ensure the safety of future guests.
- A crowdfunding campaign and an Amazon Wishlist have garnered significant national support, with nearly 200 packages sent to aid the recovery.
- The project, which serves as a hub for food, herbs, and local interaction, is now targeting a grand opening in February 2027.
Full Transcript (English)
Guest (Nobuyuki Miura): It has been a long time, everyone.
Host: It certainly has. What is the date today?
Miura: Today is October 8th. It has been a little over two months since the earthquake.
Host: And the crowdfunding campaign ends tomorrow, right?
Miura: Yes, it ends tomorrow. We have been running it for two months, and I am so grateful to everyone who has supported us. Actually, the day after Jun Hori interviewed us last time… or maybe it was two days after… we started seeing the situation at “Papanobapabapars” change. We have come back to 8bitNews to give an update.
Host: Thank you. We look forward to it.
(Video cuts to July 29, 2026, shortly after the earthquake)
Host: Hello. I am so sorry to visit during such a difficult time.
Miura: (Visibly emotional and crying) It is… it is really tough. But we will start from here. Please, come in.
Miura: Right now, this is the state of things. Friends and acquaintances helped us put blue tarps on the roof to prevent leaks. It is hard… it is really hard. But it is okay. We will definitely make it from here.
(Miura and the host inspect the interior damage)
Miura: We hadn’t even started working on the second floor yet, so it is in its original state, but the parts we had worked on previously have cracked significantly. This time, the southern wall is leaning quite a bit. The northern side is mostly okay, but the front part is bulging and tilting toward the south. It seems the weight shifted that way.
(Video returns to October 8, 2026)
Host: When 8bitNews visited last time, there was a shed or a tiled roof extension on the right side here.
Miura: Yes, that was supported by about three pillars, but it couldn’t withstand the major earthquake and collapsed. Early on, volunteers and supporters helped us remove it. Now we plan to use that space as a parking lot, so it looks much cleaner now.
Host: Last time, the first floor seemed relatively okay, but the second floor looked difficult.
Miura: Exactly. As you can see, the second floor is still tilting quite a bit. So, we have decided to remove the second floor entirely. Next week, a crane will come to take down the beams and pillars. We are prioritizing safety, so we are converting it into a single-story building. Originally, when I took over this house, I wanted to preserve as much as possible because of the atmosphere of an old folk house (kominka). But after experiencing a level 7 earthquake, I realized it wouldn’t hold up. For the safety of our customers and for us living here, we decided a one-story structure was the best choice.
Host: It must be a bittersweet decision.
Miura: It is. I loved the old tiled roof and the traditional look. But if we left it as is and it remained dangerous, people wouldn’t feel comfortable coming here. Safety comes first.
Host: What was the official damage assessment for the building?
Miura: From the first inspection, it was categorized as “totally destroyed” (zenkai). Since we had moved our belongings and were living here for a few days before the planned August opening, it was recognized as both a residence and a business office. This allowed us to receive support through the disaster victim livelihood recovery system.
Host: As a business owner myself, I worry about the fact that you haven’t been able to generate sales for six months. How are you managing?
Miura: My term with the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps was supposed to end in late July. However, I spoke with the town, and they have a provision where terms can be extended for up to a year in special circumstances. They allowed me to continue my work with the corps until we can open, which has been a huge help in maintaining some stability.
Host: That is a relief for your peace of mind.
Miura: It really is. Without that, I would have been unemployed immediately after the earthquake. That support from the town was crucial.
(They move toward the entrance)
Miura: There used to be a wall here, but it collapsed, so we removed it entirely. We decided to use this as an opportunity to widen the entrance. The new wood you see here is from the restoration work. We are trying to turn the damage into an improvement.
Host: Looking at it now, how do you feel about the progress?
Miura: We are fixing what can be fixed and incorporating new ideas that we had planned for a “phase two” later on. I think the final result will be even better and more refined than what we originally planned. To be honest, right after the disaster, I thought about giving up. But everyone around me kept saying, “You’re going to do this, right?” When so many people push you forward, you just have to say, “Yes, I’ll do my best.” I’m so grateful they pulled me back up.
Miura: We also asked for help through an Amazon Wishlist, and we received nearly 200 packages of support supplies from all over the country. I want to thank everyone nationwide for that. The local community has also been incredibly supportive, telling us they are worried but believe we can make it. My job now is to get this place back on its feet.
Host: What is the current schedule for the opening?
Miura: The building itself should be finished by early November. After we finish our preparations, we are aiming for a grand opening in early February.
Host: It has been a very intense two months.
Miura: It has felt much longer than two months. Usually, time flies, but this period was so dense with work, meeting people, and planning. It showed me how much can be accomplished when you have support.
Host: And the crowdfunding ends tomorrow.
Miura: Yes, tomorrow is the last day. I ask for your continued support, and more than anything, I want you all to come and visit “Papanobapabapars” once we open to enjoy this environment with us. Thank you so much.
