Did Habita prioritize cash over employee safety?

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Habita Ordered Employees Back into Mall to Secure Cash, Leading to Their Deaths

Habita, the operator of a variety store chain, admitted to ordering two employees back into the Aeon shopping mall in Kumamoto Prefecture to secure cash after they had safely evacuated following a major earthquake. The two women subsequently died in an explosion at the mall. This action has raised questions about the company's prioritization of financial assets over the safety of its staff.
Employees Recalled for Cash Collection

Following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, two female employees had successfully evacuated the Aeon Mall Kumamoto. However, they were instructed to re-enter the building to retrieve the day's sales proceeds. Koji Yuse, sales manager at Habita, confirmed that he gave the instruction to the store manager, directing the employees to move the cash from their second-floor store to a safe located on the first floor.
Acknowledged Inappropriateness of the Order

Yuse, aged 64, acknowledged the gravity of his decision, stating to reporters that he believed the order was inappropriate. He expressed deep regret for the actions that led to the tragic loss of life. The company has since issued an apology to the bereaved family members and provided a written account of the events.
Broader Impact of the Earthquake

The incident occurred in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that registered the highest level on Japan's seismic intensity scale. The subsequent explosion at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto resulted in multiple fatalities, with seven people confirmed dead at the site, including the two Habita employees. The Kumamoto prefectural government reported that as of the reporting date, 36 deaths were directly attributed to the earthquake, with two additional fatalities under investigation.

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Did Habita prioritize cash over employee safety?

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