Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > September 2018 > 20th Meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018
The Prime Minister in Action
20th Meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018
September 3, 2018
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement
Photograph of the Prime Minister making a statement
[Provisional Translation]
On September 3, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 20th meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
“Typhoon No. 21* is expected to make landfall from the Shikoku region to the Kii Peninsula during daytime tomorrow, September 4. It is the first time in 25 years that a typhoon will make landfall while still maintaining its extreme strength. There are concerns that it may cause heavy wind and rain, flooding of rivers, landslides, and high water levels over a wide area. Please remain on high alert.
In response to the arrival of the successive typhoons, in the areas that were affected by the heavy rain in western Japan, we have implemented various emergency measures such as installing drainage pump vehicles to respond to potential flooding, conducting monitoring around-the-clock, in addition to dredging rivers. To prevent secondary disasters, please take advance measures, including early initiation of evacuation measures, without worrying that it might ultimately be unnecessary.
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. I ask that each of you implement measures, working in unity as the Government, to prevent damages wherever possible, including disseminating information in a manner that is easy to understand and lead to evacuations in a timely manner as well as sending warnings or giving advice to local governments and related organizations.
This typhoon is expected to speed up rapidly near Japan. As the typhoon approaches, rain and wind suddenly intensify. Therefore, I ask the people to take action to protect your lives without letting your guard down by making prior preparations, such as checking their emergency supplies and food stock and confirming their evacuation centers and safe evacuation routes, as well as being mindful of evacuating early.”
* Typhoon Jebi
