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[Provisional translation]

The annual comprehensive disaster prevention drills for 2016 were held on September 1, Japan's National Disaster Prevention Day. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took part in the drills together with all Cabinet members.

This year, the drills were conducted based on a scenario in which a Nankai Trough Earthquake  occurred at around 7:10 a.m., with a magnitude of 9.1, a maximum seismic intensity of 7, and its epicenter off the coast of southern Wakayama Prefecture.

As part of the drills, the Prime Minister walked to the assembling point at the Prime Minister’s Office and held the first meeting of the Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters. Afterwards, the Prime Minister held a press conference to explain the overview of the earthquake and the status of the Government's response, and to give a message to the people.

Then, by helicopter, the Prime Minister led a government inspection team to the venue in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, where the joint disaster prevention drills were being conducted by the nine municipalities in the Kanto region. At the venue, the Prime Minister observed an expressway accident rescue drill, as well as a triage and first aid drill. Subsequently, the Prime Minister participated in an AED drill and then observed a rescue aid drill.

Following that, the Prime Minister said in his address at the closing ceremony of the drills,

“It is of great significance that disaster prevention day drills of this scale were held today, with the participation of over 100 organizations and approximately 10,000 people, including the people of Saitama City, as well as the police, the fire department, the Self-Defense Forces, TEC-FORCE, DMAT, and members of the private sector.

Many people voluntarily and wholeheartedly participated in today’s drills, including approximately 1,000 elementary, junior high, and high school students on whom the future of Japan rests.

The natural conditions of Japan make all parts of the country prone to disasters, such as earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rains, and volcanic eruptions.

Just two days ago, Typhoon No. 10 caused significant damage in Hokkaido, Iwate Prefecture, and elsewhere. I wish to extend my sympathy to the victims and my deepest condolences to the affected people.

The Government has dispatched a government inspection team and is responding to the situation collectively.

It is important that each and every person stands ready and prepares for disasters on a day-to-day basis, so that everyone can protect their own lives.

I would like to ask the relevant organizations and community members to regularly ensure that preparations have been made for disasters by deepening understanding about the activities that should be carried out during times of disaster, as well as understanding about each other’s respective activities, through practical drills like the ones conducted today.

The Government will constantly revise disaster prevention measures in order to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people against major disasters, including Tokyo Inland Earthquakes, which some fear may occur in the future, while fully drawing upon the valuable lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Kumamoto Earthquake. Together with all of you, we will take steps to mitigate disasters through self-help, mutual support, and public assistance.

In closing today, I would like to express my appreciation to everyone for their wholehearted participation in today’s drills.”

After the observation, the Prime Minister stated in response to questions from the press,

“Typhoon No. 10 has caused significant damage. I would first like to extend my sympathy to the victims and my condolences to the affected people. In today’s disaster prevention drills that were held under the theme of ‘connecting people,’ we once again confirmed with each other the importance of helping each other, working together, and collaborating with each other. It was reaffirmed that, in order to mitigate disasters, it is extremely important that realistic drills like today’s disaster prevention drills are held that bring together many people—community members, city residents, children, elementary school students, junior high school students, high school students, community volunteers, as well as the city, prefectural, and national governments.

Holding a series of these disaster prevention drills will result in protecting human lives. Over the years Japan has experienced many trying natural disasters. It is critical that we build upon these drills while drawing upon the lessons learned from previous disasters. We are fully committed to disaster mitigation that also draws upon new lessons learned, constantly making improvements to disaster prevention drills when improvement is required.”