Ministerial Meeting on the Forest Fire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture

On March 7, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba convened a ministerial meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the forest fire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture.

He made the following remarks based on the discussions at the meeting.

“With regard to the forest fire in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, the spread of the fire has been brought under control owing to the rain that fell two days ago on the 5th, in addition to firefighting activities thus far. However, multiple heat sources have still been observed. I ask the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and the Minister of Defense to continue to make all possible efforts in their firefighting operations, with firefighters and Self-Defense Force units acting as one, so that the fire will be extinguished at the earliest possible time.

The evacuation order was lifted in some areas of Ofunato City today, but the order is still in place for over 3,600 people from approximately 1,500 households. As of 3 p.m. today, around 1,000 people are staying at evacuation shelters.

Up until now, we have worked together with local governments to provide hot meals, cardboard beds and blankets for sound sleep, and tents and partitions for privacy protection, and I ask that you continue to do your utmost to support disaster victims, by promoting welfare support for elderly people, patrols by police officers, and crime prevention guidance at evacuation shelters, among other measures, so that evacuees can feel secure even if only a little.

I also ask for close coordination with local governments to realize the swift payment of support grants for reconstructing livelihoods of disaster victims for those whose houses have suffered fire damage, while securing temporary housing for them.

As a result of promptly calculating the amount of damage caused by the recent forest fire, today we have come to have prospects that the fire will be designated as a disaster of extreme severity. This will allow for generous financial support from the Government for expenses necessary for the restoration of forests from the disaster. I request the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to steadily forge ahead with the provision of support for recovery projects toward the restoration of the bountiful forests to the state before the fire.

We have received reports that the fire has not only affected the forest industry, but also other local industries such as the fishery. I ask that the MAFF Minister and other relevant ministers work with local governments to give explanations and disseminate information on various support programs in an easy-to-understand manner and strive toward the rebuilding of the livelihoods of the affected people. Please also offer support for smooth disposal of disaster waste to local municipalities.

Shortly, 14 years will have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Ofunato City saw a huge loss of precious lives in that disaster. Nevertheless, the residents there have overcome their deep sorrow and in spite of all the issues, steadily followed the path of reconstruction.

Against this background, Ofunato City is now facing severe damage once again.

I request all of you to extend your thoughts to the latest hardship that the citizens of Ofunato are bearing and to make government-wide efforts to stay close to each and every one of the disaster victims. Thank you very much for your hard work, and your continued efforts would be appreciated.”