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On August 30, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the Ministerial Meeting on the Heavy Rain from the Storm Front of August 2019 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minster said,
 
“I express my condolences for the people who have lost their lives, and express my sympathies to everyone who has been affected by the recent heavy rains.
 
In the disaster affected areas, the members of police, firefighters, the Japan Coast Guard, and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are conducting rescue operations, providing relief for affected people, and responding to oil spills.
 
In response to damages caused by flooding around the Rokkaku River and Ushizu River areas, we are mobilizing drainage pump vehicles from across the country and, as of this morning, have eliminated flooding except in Omachi Town, Saga Prefecture, where the oil spill has occurred. Regarding the affected hospital in Omachi Town, we have secured the access for emergency vehicles by lowering the water level.
 
At the evacuation centers in Omachi Town, Taku City, and Takeo City, where many people are feeling anxious, food, beverages, air conditioners, temporary toilets, and other items have already arrived as a push-mode support.
 
Moving forward, we intend to provide necessary items, including cardboard beds, based on the actual local needs,
 
Furthermore, regarding the temporary repairs of housing and provision of temporary housing as well as the process of disaster waste, we intend to provide assistance in close collaboration with local governments, such as dispatching personnel with expertise from relevant ministries and agencies.
 
In addition, it is important that affected municipalities be able to exert every effort toward recovery, without worrying about their finances. Please promptly move up the provision of regular local allocation tax. At the Cabinet Meeting after this, we will approve the use of contingency funds so as to strengthen further our push-mode support to provide items that are necessary to ensure the peace of mind of those who are affected by the disaster.
 
Moving forward, we intend to arrange funding swiftly to cover necessary expenses that may arise over the recovery work.
 
Tomorrow, we will dispatch a government inspection team led by Minister of State for Disaster Management Yamamoto. By hearing directly from those affected by the disaster and affected municipalities, we will develop a firm understanding of local needs and offer support accordingly.
 
I ask everyone to continue to thoroughly focus on local communities, sympathize with those affected by the disaster, and make every effort to repair the disaster affected region as soon as possible.”