Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

REPORTER: I have a question about Typhoon No. 10 (Typhoon Haishen). Please share with us the latest information the Government has regarding the state of the damage, including power outages estimated approximately 440,000 cases, as well as the future prospect. Please also tell us about the Government’s response and policies, including plans to hold  ministerial meetings and the progress in implementing flood control through advance water discharge at dams.
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY: Regarding Typhoon No. 10, a typhoon of large scale and extreme strength, I first provide information on causalities that the Government has identified s far. It has been reported that two people have lost their lives whose relations with the aforementioned disaster is under investigation, four people are missing, two people have suffered serious injuries, and eighteen people have suffered mild injuries. I express my sincere condolences for those who have been affected by the disaster. Concerning the four people who are missing as a result of landslides in Shiiba Village, Miyazaki Prefecture, 40 rescue squad personnel are heading to the disaster-affected site for search. With respect to lifelines, as of 7 a.m. today, 540,000 homes have suffered power outages, while for telecommunications over 200 land lines are disrupted and mobile phone connectivity is partially disrupted in over 60 municipalities. The relevant authorities and service providers are continuing to exert every effort to restore them as early as possible. In addition, advance water discharge has been carried out at 75 dams in Kyushu as part of efforts to prevent flooding as much as possible. So far, we have not received any reports about damage related to rivers. The Government will make a decision to hold a ministerial meeting, based on the state of damage and other information. From now until this evening, there is a risk of windstorms and heavy rains occurring in northern Kyushu. There is also the risk of a localized heavy rain across western and eastern Japan. I ask the public to stay mindful of information from local authorities and others, and to exercise an abundance of caution against landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and other hazards. The Government will continue to prioritize human life above all and exert every effort in rescue and relief activities while collaborating closely with the local governments.