[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Earthquake Centered in the Kumamoto Region of Kumamoto Prefecture 2016 at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, reports and discussions were held on the situation pertaining to damages and the response of each ministry and agency.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“The Government is currently engaged in concerted efforts to respond to the disaster, but as it is still dark the full picture about the damage situation is not yet clear.

There are concerns that there is a great deal of damage and I am issuing the following three instructions.

Ensuring the safety of residents is the first priority. The Government is to continue to make concerted, comprehensive efforts in emergency disaster response, prioritizing the rescue and relief of those affected by the disaster. Secondly, given that aftershocks continue to occur, the Government will cooperate closely with local governments, exercising extreme caution and maintaining a sense of alert to ensure that measures are implemented to evacuate residents. Thirdly, the Government will cooperate with local governments affected by the disaster, working together with organizations engaged in the provision of assistance measures to affected individuals, including ensuring the necessary supplies and the provision of medical care.

I want us all to exercise strong leadership to ensure that every possible effort is made in response measures.”