A decade after devastating earthquakes struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, characters from blockbuster manga One Piece have become an unlikely part of its recovery story. Ten statues of the Straw Hat Crew are spread across communities affected by the 2016 disaster, drawing fans from Japan and overseas on a pilgrimage through the prefecture. Today, as Kumamoto rebuilds after another deadly earthquake struck in July 2026, officials are exploring whether One Piece could lend a hand again. Meanwhile, in South Korea's Busan, the city is trying to turn the pull of popular boyband BTS into repeat visits and new opportunities for ageing neighbourhoods. CNA’s Michiyo Ishida and Lim Yun Suk report.
Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.channelnewsasia.com
A decade after devastating earthquakes struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture, characters from blockbuster manga One Piece have become an unlikely part of its recovery story. Ten statues of the Straw Hat Crew are spread across communities affected by the 2016 disaster, drawing fans from Japan and overseas on a pilgrimage through the prefecture. Today, as Kumamoto rebuilds after another deadly earthquake struck in July 2026, officials are exploring whether One Piece could lend a hand again. Meanwhile, in South Korea’s Busan, the city is trying to turn the pull of popular boyband BTS into repeat visits and new opportunities for ageing neighbourhoods. CNA’s Michiyo Ishida and Lim Yun Suk report.
