[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Yakushima Town in Kagoshima Prefecture in order to gauge the state of damage from the eruption of Mount Shindake on Kuchinoerabujima Island.
The Prime Minister first visited a welfare facility in Yakushima Town, where he encouraged the residents who had evacuated there.
Next, the Prime Minister visited the Miyanoura branch of the Yakushima Town Hall, where he heard an explanation on the state of damage and state of evacuation, and then exchanged views with Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture Yuichiro Ito and Mayor of Yakushima Town Koji Araki. Afterwards, Prime Minister Abe encouraged the members of the Yakushima Town Disaster Headquarters.
Following that, the Prime Minister visited the Miyanoura Community Hall, now an evacuation center, where he encouraged the residents who had evacuated there.

After the visit, the Prime Minister shared his thoughts,

“First, I would like to once again express my heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the eruption of the volcano on Kuchinoerabujima Island, and to each of the island residents forced to evacuate.

Unfortunately, the volcano remains highly active. The Government will strengthen its volcano observation system, led by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). We will station a member of the JMA on Yakushima Island and conduct observations in collaboration with university research organizations. Furthermore, I intend to enhance the provision of information and explanations to local communities.

Moreover, earlier, I heard the desire of the residents of the island to temporarily visit their homes. In regard to temporary visits, based on observations and investigations of the state of the volcano, we would like to steadily advance preparations and realize temporary visits as soon as possible, while simultaneously thoroughly analyzing the situation. When facilitating those visits, the Government intends to fully ensure safety and support the returnees, through efforts led by the JMA, Japan Coast Guard, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

In addition, those who have evacuated will be residing in housing managed by Yakushima Town or privately rented housing. At the same time, there are also many who have requested that importance be placed on the bonds within the local community. As such, I believe that the Government must accelerate the building of temporary residences and meet the needs of people who feel that way. Additionally, I have also spoken with evacuees, including the Mayor of Yakushima Town. Already, we are hearing about harmful rumors. Summer is usually the peak of the tourism season for Yakushima Island, but residents are very worried because unfortunately there have already been people cancelling their trips there and the number of people visiting the tourism website has also gradually decreased. In order to thoroughly put an end to such harmful rumors, I wish to strongly declare that Yakushima Island is safe. Moreover, I urge all those who may worry that they would be a burden if they visited now to not hold back, and instead come and enjoy the nature here as a way of supporting the people who have evacuated from Kuchinoerabujima Island.”

Additionally, in response to a question about the pension system, the Prime Minister said,

“I am deeply sorry that people are worried about the pension system, which is so important to all of us. The Government will exert every effort to ascertain the true state of affairs and prevent any secondary damage, thereby ensuring that, even in the worst case scenario, there will be no impact on our precious pension payments. I believe this matter transcends any distinction between the ruling parties or opposition parties. I hope that we will all address this issue with our combined strengths.”