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Apparel firm requires staff to carry valuables after Kumamoto mall deaths

Japanese apparel group Onward Holdings Co said it will require store employees nationwide to carry essential personal items at all times, after three workers died retrieving such items in an Aeon mall explosion following last week's powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefect…

By Japan Today·Aug 5·japantoday.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Onward Holdings Co has announced that it will require its store employees nationwide to carry essential personal items at all times, following the deaths of three workers who returned to a damaged building to retrieve their belongings after an earthquake.

Why it matters

This story matters because it highlights the importance of employee safety in emergencies and the need for companies to take proactive measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring.

A big earthquake happened in Japan and some people died because they went back into a building to get their stuff. Now, the company that owns the building is making sure that all the workers carry their important things with them so they don't have to go back in.

Analysis

A New Safety Measure in the Wake of Tragedy

Onward Holdings Co's decision to require its store employees to carry essential personal items at all times is a direct response to the tragic deaths of three workers who returned to a damaged building to retrieve their belongings after an earthquake. This incident has raised important questions about the safety of employees in emergency situations and the need for companies to take proactive measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring.

The company's new policy is intended to eliminate the need for workers to reenter a building after evacuation to retrieve personal items such as mobile phones and keys. By requiring employees to carry these essential items with them at all times, Onward Holdings Co aims to strengthen employee safety in emergencies and prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

The Importance of Employee Safety

The deaths of the three workers who returned to the damaged building to retrieve their belongings have highlighted the importance of employee safety in emergency situations. Companies have a responsibility to ensure that their employees are safe and protected in the event of an emergency, and Onward Holdings Co's new policy is a step in the right direction.

The Road Ahead

As companies continue to grapple with the challenges of employee safety in emergency situations, Onward Holdings Co's new policy serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive measures in preventing such tragedies from occurring. By requiring employees to carry essential personal items at all times, Onward Holdings Co is taking a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees.

Key points

  • Onward Holdings Co requires store employees nationwide to carry essential personal items at all times.
  • The new policy is in response to the deaths of three workers who returned to a damaged building to retrieve their belongings after an earthquake.
  • The company aims to strengthen employee safety in emergencies and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The Upside

This new policy could lead to a safer working environment for employees, reducing the risk of similar tragedies occurring in the future.

The Downside

However, there is a risk that employees may not comply with the new policy, or that the company may not be able to effectively implement and enforce it.

Originally reported at

japantoday.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsjapanearthquakeemployee-safetyonward-holdings-co

Author

Japan Today

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 5, 2026

Source

japantoday.com

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Topics

japanearthquakeemployee-safetyonward-holdings-co

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