Prime Minister TAKAICHI Spoke to the Press Regarding Her Visit to Kumamoto Prefecture to Inspect the Damage Caused by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake

Good afternoon.

First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake and extend my heartfelt sympathies to their bereaved families. 
My thoughts are also with everyone affected by this disaster.

Earlier today, I conducted an aerial inspection over Mashiki Town, Kashima Town, Mifune Town, Kumamoto City, Uki City, Hikawa Town, Yatsushiro City, and Uto City, where I observed the damage to public infrastructure—including roads, bridges, and ports—as well as the impact on local businesses.

I then visited an evacuation shelter in Hikawa Town, where I spoke directly with those affected by the disaster and heard firsthand about their daily lives in the shelter, as well as the concerns many young people have about their future.

A short while ago, I also exchanged views with Governor KIMURA Takashi of Kumamoto Prefecture, who requested additional support for evacuation shelters as well as further financial assistance.

The Government is firmly committed to doing everything we can. We will promptly examine what further assistance the Government can provide to the affected areas and those impacted by the disaster, and, taking into account the requests made by Governor KIMURA, we will continue to act proactively and without delay.

Based on the findings of today's inspection, the Government will further accelerate and strengthen:

-proactive assistance in the delivery of relief supplies; 
-support for rescue operations carried out by prefectural governments; and disaster recovery efforts, including emergency restoration.

To this end, tomorrow the Cabinet will approve the use of more than 20 billion yen from the Contingency Reserve Fund to secure the necessary financial resources.

In addition, at this point we expect to designate this disaster as a Disaster of Extreme Severity, making public infrastructure and agricultural land restoration projects eligible for the full range of measures available under the program.

The Government will provide its fullest possible support for disaster recovery projects undertaken by affected local governments.

As for the damage sustained by small and medium-sized enterprises, local governments and the relevant ministries and agencies are currently conducting detailed assessments. We will accelerate these surveys by dispatching additional national government officials and will respond appropriately in accordance with the applicable designation criteria.

To support the affected local governments, we have already decided to advance the disbursement of 61.6 billion yen in ordinary local allocation tax grants.

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.

In addition, to enable those affected by this disaster to focus on rebuilding their lives and livelihoods, the Government has decided to designate this disaster as a Specified Disaster.

Under this designation, effective retroactively from July 28, 2026, the date the earthquake occurred, measures will be implemented, including the extension of the validity periods of driver's licenses and permits for businesses such as restaurants.

Six days have now passed since the earthquake struck. Amid the continuing extreme heat, many people affected by the disaster are enduring physically and emotionally exhausting evacuation conditions while facing deep uncertainty about what lies ahead.

Although electricity service has been restored, we will continue working swiftly and carefully to restore electrical equipment and other facilities at individual homes.

With regard to water supplies, we will ensure uninterrupted deliveries to evacuation shelters and medical and welfare facilities, and we expect to present an overall outlook for restoration by the end of this week.

The Government as a whole will continue to strengthen water supply assistance while promoting the dispatch of technical personnel specializing in water supply and sewerage systems from local governments across the country to accelerate restoration efforts.

As for fuel supplies, we have established a supply capacity approximately four times greater than normal.

By yesterday, more than 80 percent of gasoline stations had resumed operations even in the three municipalities that suffered the most extensive damage—Yatsushiro City, Uki City, and Hikawa Town.

We will continue supporting the reopening of gasoline stations so that those affected no longer have to worry about securing fuel.

With regard to securing temporary housing, hotel and traditional Japanese inn accommodations for evacuees became available yesterday.

Beginning today, August 3, construction has commenced on temporary prefabricated housing in Uki City and Hikawa Town.

Working closely with local governments, the Government will make every effort to ensure that those affected are provided with safe and secure housing as quickly as possible.

We have also strengthened patrols by police and fire departments at evacuation shelters and in areas where people continue to stay in their vehicles. In particular, we will continue taking all necessary measures, including providing information on preventing heatstroke.

We are also concerned about the possibility of crimes exploiting the disaster, including burglaries. This is a matter we take very seriously. Some people may hesitate to evacuate to shelters because they are worried about their homes being broken into and therefore feel they must remain nearby. However, special mobile patrol units and riot police from prefectural police forces across the country have been deployed to Kumamoto Prefecture, and we have significantly strengthened security patrols throughout the affected areas.

In addition, the PFI vessel HAKUO II will arrive at the Port of Yatsushiro tomorrow. It will expand support services by providing bathing facilities, accommodation, and meals, while part of the vessel will also be used to provide medical services.

Our foremost goal is to ensure that those affected can return to their daily lives with peace of mind as soon as possible. Guided by our unwavering determination to do everything we can, the Government will continue to work as one in responding to the current disaster and supporting the recovery of the lives and livelihoods of those affected. That concludes my opening remarks.

Finally, to everyone affected by this disaster, I ask you to take good care of yourselves. The lives that were saved are precious. Please continue to protect your health and your safety. We will continue to do everything in our power to support you.