[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the thirteenth 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 damage and the response of each ministry and agency.

Based on the reports and discussion in the meeting, the Prime Minister said,

“Earthquakes are still occurring in the affected areas and I want search efforts to continue for those people we have not yet been able to contact, while ensuring the safety of search unit personnel.

With regard to the restoration of lifelines, although power has now largely been restored and gradual improvements are being seen, there are still people who cannot use water and gas supplies.

I want every effort to continue to be made to restore lifelines so that all people affected by the disaster can have access to toilets and bathing facilities as soon as possible.

Today ferries capable of providing accommodation facilities arrived in Yatsushiro Port. These ferries will be promptly opened tomorrow to accept a first group of 260 affected people. Given that people have now been living in restricted conditions in evacuation centers or out of vehicles for an extended period, the facilities on the ferries will be made available as places where the people affected can get a little rest, as well as have access to food and bathing facilities. To ensure that many people can use these facilities in turn, they will initially be made available on a one-night, two-day basis.

Until living environments can be created, please make rigorous preparations in collaboration with the affected municipalities, as well as associations of hotels and ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). Regarding securing housing where those affected by the disaster can feel peace of mind, it is necessary to expedite preparations for temporary housing so that people who have lost their homes or who feel uneasy about returning home can move to housing where they can feel peace of mind. In cooperation with the local governments of the affected areas, I want us to listen carefully to the wishes of the people affected, and accelerate measures to secure the land needed for creating facilities that meet their needs as soon as possible.

Tomorrow I plan to visit the affected areas myself. I would like to see for myself the situation on the ground and speak to the people affected. I intend to enhance and accelerate measures for reconstruction and recovery, while taking into account the comments and opinions of the people affected, as soon as possible.”