[Provisional translation]
[Opening Statement by Prime Minister Takaichi]
At around 4:53 p.m. today, an earthquake with its epicenter off the Sanriku Coast occurred, and strong tremors with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 5 were observed in Aomori Prefecture.
Tsunami warnings have also been issued for Iwate Prefecture, the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, and the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture.
To those in areas under the tsunami warning, please evacuate immediately to higher and safer locations such as elevated ground or designated evacuation buildings.
Immediately after the earthquake, the Government established an information contact office at the Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Center. Based on my instructions, we are making every effort to assess the damage, carry out emergency response measures such as search and rescue, and provide the public with information in a timely and accurate manner.
At this point, human and property damage is still being assessed. We will receive further detailed reports and continue to respond to the disaster. Thank you.