[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 20th 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.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“Yesterday, I again visited the areas affected by the disaster. Even now, many people are living in restricted and difficult conditions. Even so, at the elementary school that serves as the evacuation center in Nishihara Village, the local community has come together and the people are staying positive and helping one another. Kumamoto City has started efforts toward the restoration of livelihoods, taking one step at a time. I was able to see for myself the forward-looking and determined mindset of these people.

At the same time, however, people in these areas continue to live anxious lives as evacuees, unable to know what the future holds. For example, yesterday as well, there was an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5. Yesterday was also the day that construction of temporary housing was at last begun in Nishihara Village and Kosa Town. The Government will provide its full support to these municipalities through every type of support measure possible, so that people can move into new housing as soon as possible. 

From tomorrow, sales will be held in front of damaged stores at shopping areas in Kumamoto City. At hot spring areas in Yufuin and Beppu in Oita too, people are working hard to keep their businesses open despite a decline in the number of tourists. The Government must support this strong determination for reconstruction by doing everything in its power to maintain the employment that sustains livelihoods in the disaster-affected areas. Through the supplementary budget, we will fully take the necessary preparations to ensure that the people affected by the disaster can once again lead their lives with peace of mind. As such, I would like all ministries and agencies to not hesitate in offering any kind of support that is needed. We should not limit ourselves to past precedent. While thoroughly understanding the various needs in the disaster-affected areas, please offer swift, detailed, and substantial support, including financial support for operating capital and stopgap funds; the active utilization of employment adjustment subsidies; support for people in the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries; and efforts to ensure that there is sufficient understanding about the exemption system for loans made in response to disasters, which is a countermeasure for the double loan problem.

The people affected by the disaster are now, little by little, beginning to look to the future. Though you will have to give up your holidays to respond to the situation, I want everyone to please think about the difficult circumstances faced by the people affected by the disaster. Please respond nimbly to their needs, which are changing from one minute to the next, and press ahead with the rebuilding of lives, and repair and reconstruction efforts. Please act with the spirit of doing everything that is possible in your respective roles. Furthermore, let me reiterate the importance of not limiting ourselves to the regular response that we would make under normal circumstances. I would like everyone to give their all, and respond with agility and flexibility.”