[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the Ministerial Council on the Torrential Rainfall in Tochigi Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, and Other Areas at the Prime Minister’s Office

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“The torrential rainfall caused by Typhoon No. 18 in Japan was an extremely abnormal occurrence never before seen by these regions. In Ibaraki Prefecture, there were levee breaches along major rivers, leaving many people stranded and resulting in extensive damage, and in Tochigi Prefecture, there are people missing in landslides, making this a critical situation in both regions.

We can afford no delays in protecting the lives of the people. On behalf of the government, I have issued instructions for rescue forces to be mobilized to the fullest extent possible. I would like rescue teams from the police, fire departments, Self Defense Forces, and Japan Coast Guard to coordinate their efforts and work as one to carry out lifesaving activities.

I would like relevant ministers to continue to work closely with the affected local governments to quickly ascertain the rapidly changing situation and take sufficient steps to prevent damage from spreading, including rescuing victims and initiating evacuations. Thank you very much.”