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On July 4, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the third Ministerial Meeting on the Heavy Rain from the End of June at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minster said,
 
“There has been record-breaking precipitation in the Kyushu region, including areas that have experienced over 1,000 millimeters of rainfall since the rains began. In addition to the frequent landslides and rising of rivers, exceeding the flood risk water level, there have been some impacts to people’s daily lives including disruptions to transportation networks. Many people are spending their days feeling anxious.
 
The police, firefighters, and the Japan Coast Guard are exerting every effort in asking people to evacuate as well as engaging in rescue operations. Yesterday, the Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture requested the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for disaster relief and the SDF units have already started operations.
 
Furthermore, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Technical Emergency Control FORCE (TEC-FORCE) is collecting information on the ground related to damages caused by this disaster and working to mitigate flood damage using drainage pump vehicles.
 
Going forward, the situation will be changing constantly. To protect the lives of the people, I ask you to continue your efforts to ensure that the information disseminated is easy to understand and, once you identify damages, please exert every effort for rescue activities, collaborating with local governments and relevant organizations. I also ask you to work swiftly on the recovery of the flooded points of Daio River in Kagoshima Prefecture, and clearing damaged roads for relief and rescue works.
 
While the rainfall in southern Kyushu has subsided, the heavy precipitation thus far may have loosened the soil in places. I ask the people to not let down their guard and to remain duly vigilant in case of landslides and flooding of rivers.
 
As many local governments have issued evacuation orders and advisories, many people have already evacuated. I once again ask those who reside in those areas where an evacuation order has been issued to evacuate ahead of time, asking for supports from relevant organizations or communities, if necessary.”