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The Prime Minister in Action
13th Meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018
July 27, 2018
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement (3)
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement (4)
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement (5)
[Provisional Translation]
On July 27, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 13th meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“In the areas affected by the disaster, amidst the extreme heat and with the sign of a typhoon approaching, many people are feeling uneasy and anxious while being forced to lead hard lives. The Government will continue to exert all of its efforts towards implementing emergency response and recovery work in these areas, rebuilding the lives of those affected, and restoring ‘nariwai (occupations and livelihoods that sustain people’s daily lives).’
With respect to water supply, thanks to the efforts of all parties involved, Uwajima City and Kawajiri district in Kure City, which sustained particularly heavy damage, are expected to have running water again from early August, ahead of schedule. With regard to securing housing, we already have people set to move into approximately 1,700 private-sector rental housing serving as provisional temporary housing. In addition, the construction of approximately 150 dwellings of ‘constructed’ emergency temporary housing in Ehime Prefecture has been already commenced. In Okayama and Hiroshima Prefectures, preparations including securing of land are under way to begin construction of such dwellings. The Government will continue to provide supports to implement emergency response and recovery work and rebuild the lives of those affected.
Currently, the Team to Support the Daily Lives of Disaster Victims is leading the efforts to urgently compile an assistance package focused on restoring nariwai. We will promptly take the necessary measures, by approving this assistance package by the end of next week, which will include: the swift removal of sediment in cities; assistance that is mindful of the needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises using funds such as group subsidies and business sustainability subsidies; assistance for agricultural, forestry and fishery businesses including restoration of irrigation channels for citrus fruits and emergency maintenance of agricultural reservoirs; and measures that will have immediate effect to deal with harmful rumors or misinformation which could affect the tourism industry such as assistance for lodging.
We will exert every effort to support the restoration and reconstruction efforts of the people affected and ensure that the municipalities affected can engage in restoration and reconstruction activities with peace of mind without worrying about fiscal resources.
As for Typhoon No. 12, the surrounding storms have already reached the Ogasawara Islands, and there are concerns over potential damage in various areas. A short while ago, Minister of State for Disaster Management Okonogi convened an Inter-Agency Disaster Alert Meeting and the Government is now on heightened alert. While river restoration work is being carried out at a rapid pace around the clock in the areas affected by the recent heavy rain, it is necessary to be on high alert for river flooding and landslide in these areas where sediment has deposited in rivers due to the past heavy rain and there is loose soil across a large area. I ask that you disseminate information which is easy to understand and surely lead to the evacuation of people as well as provide proactive supports to assist municipalities secure evacuation centers and develop readiness. I also ask the people to stay tuned to the latest weather, disaster, and other information announced by local municipalities and meteorological observatories and be mindful of evacuating early.”
On July 27, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 13th meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“In the areas affected by the disaster, amidst the extreme heat and with the sign of a typhoon approaching, many people are feeling uneasy and anxious while being forced to lead hard lives. The Government will continue to exert all of its efforts towards implementing emergency response and recovery work in these areas, rebuilding the lives of those affected, and restoring ‘nariwai (occupations and livelihoods that sustain people’s daily lives).’
With respect to water supply, thanks to the efforts of all parties involved, Uwajima City and Kawajiri district in Kure City, which sustained particularly heavy damage, are expected to have running water again from early August, ahead of schedule. With regard to securing housing, we already have people set to move into approximately 1,700 private-sector rental housing serving as provisional temporary housing. In addition, the construction of approximately 150 dwellings of ‘constructed’ emergency temporary housing in Ehime Prefecture has been already commenced. In Okayama and Hiroshima Prefectures, preparations including securing of land are under way to begin construction of such dwellings. The Government will continue to provide supports to implement emergency response and recovery work and rebuild the lives of those affected.
Currently, the Team to Support the Daily Lives of Disaster Victims is leading the efforts to urgently compile an assistance package focused on restoring nariwai. We will promptly take the necessary measures, by approving this assistance package by the end of next week, which will include: the swift removal of sediment in cities; assistance that is mindful of the needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises using funds such as group subsidies and business sustainability subsidies; assistance for agricultural, forestry and fishery businesses including restoration of irrigation channels for citrus fruits and emergency maintenance of agricultural reservoirs; and measures that will have immediate effect to deal with harmful rumors or misinformation which could affect the tourism industry such as assistance for lodging.
We will exert every effort to support the restoration and reconstruction efforts of the people affected and ensure that the municipalities affected can engage in restoration and reconstruction activities with peace of mind without worrying about fiscal resources.
As for Typhoon No. 12, the surrounding storms have already reached the Ogasawara Islands, and there are concerns over potential damage in various areas. A short while ago, Minister of State for Disaster Management Okonogi convened an Inter-Agency Disaster Alert Meeting and the Government is now on heightened alert. While river restoration work is being carried out at a rapid pace around the clock in the areas affected by the recent heavy rain, it is necessary to be on high alert for river flooding and landslide in these areas where sediment has deposited in rivers due to the past heavy rain and there is loose soil across a large area. I ask that you disseminate information which is easy to understand and surely lead to the evacuation of people as well as provide proactive supports to assist municipalities secure evacuation centers and develop readiness. I also ask the people to stay tuned to the latest weather, disaster, and other information announced by local municipalities and meteorological observatories and be mindful of evacuating early.”
