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On July 13, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Ehime Prefecture to inspect the state of the damage caused by the heavy rain of July 2018.
 
The Prime Minister first visited a site affected by flooding in Seiyo City and encouraged Self-Defense Force units providing water supply assistance.
 
Subsequently, the Prime Minister visited an overtopping point of Ozu City (the upstream edge of the Higashi Ozu Interim Embankment). In addition, the Prime Minister visited Taira Kominkan (Community Learning Center), which is serving as an evacuation center, where he listened to evacuees.
 
Afterwards, in Uwajima City, the Prime Minister also listened to evacuees at Yoshida Kominkan, which is serving as an evacuation center, and then encouraged Self-Defense Forces units providing bathing support.
 
Following that, the Prime Minister exchanged views with Mr. Tokihiro Nakamura, Governor of Ehime Prefecture, Mr. Fumiaki Okahara, Mayor of Uwajima City, and others, and received a written request from the Governor.
 
After the visit, the Prime Minister said,
 
“First, I would like to pray for peace for the souls of those who lost their lives in the recent heavy rain and offer my deepest condolences to their bereaved families. I would also like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to all who have been affected by this disaster. We will exert all of our efforts to search for the missing people.
 
A short while ago, I saw the state of the tremendous ravages with my very own eyes. I also heard from the evacuees about their earnest wishes and specific needs regarding their daily lives at the evacuation centers. The Government will respond promptly with the intention of doing everything in its power, while being mindful of the feelings of those affected.
 
With regard to the water discharge from the Nomura Dam, I have been briefed that these responses were taken in accordance with operational rules amidst a pressing situation where the dam could collapse. I have also realized that there are various views towards it. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will conduct a thorough investigation and make swift improvements wherever necessary.
 
The situation will change every moment as people live in evacuation centers for a prolonged period. The Government will adapt its assistance to meet these changes; it must also provide such assistance in advance..
 
The evacuation centers I visited earlier had cardboard beds designed to absorb vibrations. I was briefed that these beds were arranged by Ehime Prefecture. The Government itself has also shipped and provided cardboard beds and air mattresses through push-mode support, and will step up our efforts further to ship and provide them to evacuation centers accordingly.
 
We will continue to devote every effort to provide supports for the daily lives of those affected and for rebuilding their lives.
 
At an evacuation center in Okayama Prefecture that I visited two days ago, some evacuees requested the Government to provide more information, stating that it may help ease their concerns if the Government tells them what supports are being provided or will be provided and how the infrastructure will be restored. Therefore, today, a webpage has been created on the Prime Minister’s Office website that compiles and  provides information accurately and swiftly concerning supports for the daily lives of those affected, including the provision of necessities such as water, the inventory status of convenience stores and supermarkets, supports to assist them, the state of bathing and medical supports, the status of the preparations for temporary housing, and the outlook regarding the restoration of water service, roads, and railway service. I encourage everyone to make use of this webpage.
 
The Government will continue to work together with prefectures and municipalities in exerting its fullest efforts to ensure that those affected can return to their daily lives with peace of mind at the earliest possible date, with the intention of doing everything possible and taking responses in anticipation of future changes in the situation.”