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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Iwate Prefecture in order to gauge the state of damage caused by Typhoon No. 10.

First, the Prime Minister visited a group home for the elderly and a dairy factory in Iwaizumi Town that had both sustained damage from the typhoon. After that, the Prime Minister visited an evacuation center, and then went to Iwaizumi Town Hall for an exchange of opinions with Mr. Takuya Tasso, Governor of Iwate Prefecture, and Mr. Kenichi Nakai, Deputy Mayor of Iwaizumi Town.

After his visit to the affected areas, the Prime Minister said,

“First, I want to again express my sincere condolences to everyone who lost their lives in the typhoon. At the same time, I also want to extend my sympathies to the injured as well as to everyone who was affected by this disaster.

I have visited the areas affected by the disaster here, where many precious lives were lost. I have seen for myself the great damage done to the important production facilities of factories, as well as the damaged roads, bridges, houses, and other structures. I felt once again just how tremendous the damage was. I also heard compelling stories from people who are being forced to live difficult lives as evacuees, and felt a renewed conviction that we must do everything in our power to return people to lives that they can once again live with peace of mind.

First, I want to put all of our efforts toward the construction of emergency temporary facilities, and work for the securing of housing. The restoration of livelihoods is also important. Yesterday, I decided to implement special measures for recovery operations related to cultivation facilities for aquatic wildlife and plants. I understand that there are a variety of situations related to the state of damage. Taking into account the various situations and conditions, we will take a flexible position of ‘doing everything that the Government can possibly do,’ and exert every effort for the reconstruction of livelihoods.

In addition, before dawn today, Mt. Aso erupted. We will exert every effort on that matter as well, with a sense of urgency and a focus on putting people’s lives first.”