[4] The Kuma River begins its course from Mount Choushigasa flowing primarily through Kumamoto prefecture, leading to the Yatsushiro Bay.

Despite maintaining much of its natural landscape, the Kuma River and especially its basin area was largely impacted by human activities for economic and social development.

Starting from approximately the Meiji era (1868-1912), slash-and-burn agriculture was active, in order to produce crops, including Japanese millet, azuki beans, sweet potato and taro.

[citation needed] Until the late 20th century, wet rice cultivation of the primary factor of forming landscapes in the lower areas of the Kuma River.

The national level administrations of Ministry of land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are in charge of management of the rivers of Japan.

These include construction of dams damaging the habitats of natural species, as well as deforestation of the Kuma river basin due to paper industry.

[citation needed] Despite being the habitat of various goby species, human activities have largely impacted to an extent in which many are threatened with extinction.

[14] Fishing of Ayu is generally done from early summer to fall, economically assisting the locals in the surrounding of Kuma River especially for those running inns and restaurants.

Freshwater eels, donko (Odontobutis obscura), as well as gane crabs (Eriocheir japonica) were also popular for fishing prior to the construction of dams on the Kuma River.

The local fishermen have also mentioned that the weather loach (Misgrunus anguillicaudatus), the Chinese soft-shell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) and the Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipes) were often seen in the Kuma River before the construction of dams.

The Arase dam was built on the Kuma River for the purpose of hydropower generation and control of water levels and flooding.

Ichifusa dam was built by the Kumamoto Prefecture government, also at the upper stream of the Kuma River for water supplies of its neighbourhood.

[4] After the construction of the Arase dam on the Kuma River, local residents were not only stressed due to the reduction of Ayu fish, but also the noises, water quality deterioration, as well as the uncomfortable smell it was producing at times.

[15] The ecosystem services of the Kuma River largely contribute to the tourism industry of its neighbourhood which includes hot springs and riverboat recreation.

[14] Fishing of ayu is generally done from early summer to fall, economically assisting the locals in the surrounding of Kuma river especially for those running inns and restaurants.

In July 2020, there was massive overflowing of the Kuma river bank due to heavy rain, causing flooding in large areas of Kumamoto prefecture.

[8] Shinzo Abe, Japanese prime minister at the time, responded to the flooding of the Kuma river by visiting the areas affected and assessing the aid needed.

[18] Prime Minister Abe assigned the aid of 400 billion yen as a support for repairing any damages as well as businesses affected by the flood.