[Provisional Translation]
On July 31, 2026, Prime Minister TAKAICHI attended the fourth meeting of the Emergency Headquarters for the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake at the Prime Minister's Office.
Based on today's discussion, the Prime Minister made the following remarks.
(Prime Minister TAKAICHI)
As of 3:00 p.m. today, the death toll from the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake has risen to 35, including those whose deaths are still under investigation to determine whether they were disaster-related.
As of 3:00 p.m. today, the death toll from the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake has risen to 35, including those whose deaths are still under investigation to determine whether they were disaster-related.
Once again, I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives and extend my heartfelt sympathies to their bereaved families.
I have been informed that, as of this time, the police and fire departments have completed responses to all rescue requests they have received within Kumamoto Prefecture.
I would like to express my profound respect and gratitude to everyone who has been tirelessly engaged in search and rescue operations under these extremely harsh conditions. At the same time, I ask all relevant organizations to continue conducting thorough search operations in close coordination with one another, leaving no stone unturned to ensure that no one still in need of rescue is left behind.
Approximately 9,200 people, primarily in Kumamoto Prefecture, remain in evacuation shelters, and I understand that many others are continuing to shelter in their vehicles. With temperatures expected to reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days, I am particularly concerned about the risks of heatstroke and economy class syndrome among those staying in their vehicles. Some people may be unable to use air conditioning because they have run out of fuel, while others may not have sufficient access to drinking water. These circumstances require careful and tailored responses.
To further strengthen emergency disaster response efforts in the affected areas, yesterday the Government established an On-site Response Headquarters at the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office, headed by State Minister TSUSHIMA.
Minister AKAMA, I ask you to establish a comprehensive support framework without delay so that we can accurately and swiftly identify the needs of the affected areas and provide effective assistance for disaster victims as well as recovery and reconstruction efforts.
As I instructed the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications the day before yesterday, the Government today decided to advance the disbursement of 61.6 billion yen in ordinary allocation tax grants to support the affected local governments.
The Government will continue to provide whatever budgetary measures are necessary. I encourage all affected local governments to carry out emergency response and recovery efforts without hesitation or concern about financial constraints.
Evacuation shelters are home to many elderly people, young children, and individuals with medical conditions. As evacuations may continue for an extended period, sustained support for those affected is of the utmost importance.
To ensure that water and relief supplies reach evacuation shelters without fail, it is essential to establish effective last-mile logistics from distribution hubs to medical and welfare facilities as well as evacuation shelters.
Minister AKAMA, I ask you to ensure that the government liaison officers dispatched to the affected areas continue visiting evacuation shelters to identify needs in detail and, making full use of the Self-Defense Forces where appropriate, spare no effort to ensure that water and relief supplies are delivered promptly and reliably so that those affected experience no shortages.
In particular, with regard to water supplies, we must ensure that deliveries to medical and welfare facilities as well as evacuation shelters are never interrupted. This will require closer coordination with the Self-Defense Forces and the deployment of water supply vehicles from other local governments.
Minister KANEKO, I ask you to work closely with Minister HAYASHI, Minister KOIZUMI, Minister UENO, and the other relevant ministers, and immediately employ every possible means available.
In addition, to accelerate the restoration of water supply and sewerage infrastructure itself, I ask you to coordinate nationwide support from water and sewerage engineers and promptly present a timetable for restoring these systems so that water can be supplied efficiently to medical and welfare facilities as well as evacuation shelters.