Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the fourth Disaster Response Meeting among Relevant Ministries and Agencies for the Ongoing Torrential Rainfall since August 15 at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, reports were made on the future weather forecast as well as the situation pertaining to damages and the response of each ministry and agency, while Mr. Keiji Furuya, Minister of State for Disaster Management, reported on the results of the Government inspection team’s investigation conducted in Hiroshima Prefecture.  

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“The recent torrential rainfall has caused major damages. I express my heartfelt sympathies to the lives lost and offer my condolences to those affected by the disaster. 
Police, fire departments, SDF personnel, and officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are working around the clock in the disaster zone as part of the search and rescue effort, but regrettably there are still a large number of people who remain missing. These are very difficult activities as personnel have to remove immense amounts of mud and debris. Nevertheless, the Government is working as one to make every effort to rescue those who are affected as soon as possible while closely cooperating with local governments affected by this disaster. 
Since more landslides could occur in regions where rain is forecast, I would like those involved to take every step possible to prevent secondary damages and the spread of primary damages. I would also like related ministries and agencies to work closely together to respond thoroughly to not only securing lifelines locally, but also providing assistance to those having to live unsettlingly in evacuation centers and to those that have lost their homes.  
Emergency disaster response measures must battle time as well. I would like each ministry and agency to make every effort possible to work with local governments and institutions and respond to the needs of the disaster zone.