Aeon Co. admitted it allowed people to re-enter Aeon Mall Kumamoto after an evacuation, preceding an explosion that killed seven tenant employees [1].
The reversal follows an initial denial by company leadership regarding whether staff were permitted back inside the building during a crisis. The discrepancy raises questions about the company's safety protocols and the accuracy of its public communications during a mass-casualty event.
The explosion occurred at the mall located in Kajima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, following an earthquake that struck on the 28th of last month [2]. According to company records, seven tenant employees died in the blast [1].
Aeon President Yoshida Akio had previously denied that any such permission was granted. When asked if announcements or permissions to enter the building were made, Yoshida said it did not happen and that he denied such claims [3].
However, a corporate spokesperson later said that the company did permit temporary re-entry because requests had been made to return to the building [4]. This admission contradicts the earlier statements made by the president.
The incident began with the earthquake on the 28th of last month [2]. Following the initial evacuation, the decision to allow some individuals back inside the structure preceded the fatal explosion. The company has not yet detailed the specific cause of the explosion or why the re-entry request was granted despite the ongoing risks associated with the earthquake aftermath.
“Seven tenant employees died in the blast”
The contradiction between the president's denial and the company's eventual admission suggests a failure in internal communication or an attempt to mitigate liability. In the context of Japanese disaster management, where strict adherence to evacuation protocols is standard, allowing re-entry into a compromised structure may represent a significant breach of safety norms that contributed to the fatalities.
