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On September 1, 2019 (Disaster Preparedness Day), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took part in the FY2019 Comprehensive Disaster Management Drills together with all Cabinet members.
 
This year, the drills were conducted based on a scenario in which a Tokyo Inland Earthquake occurred at 7:00 a.m., with a magnitude of 7.3, a maximum seismic intensity of 7, and its epicenter under the 23 wards of Tokyo.
 
As part of the drills, the Prime Minister walked to the assembling point at the Prime Minister’s Office and held the first meeting of the Extreme Disaster Management Headquarters and an emergency Cabinet meeting. Afterwards, the Prime Minister held a press conference to explain the overview of the earthquake and the status of the Government's response, and to give a message to the people.
 
Afterwards, the Prime Minister visited the venue of the joint disaster management drills, which was held by the nine municipalities in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture as a part of the government inspection team. At the venue, the Prime Minister observed a marine evacuation drill and participated in a drill to operate a volunteer center. Following that, the Prime Minister also observed a medical relief drill, a drill exercise featuring the participation of local residents, and a rescue and relief drill.
 
At the closing ceremony of the drills, The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“It is of great significance that disaster management drills of this scale were held today, on Disaster Preparedness Day, with the participation of approximately 110 organizations and approximately 5,000 people, including the people of Funabashi City, the Self-Defense Forces, and the police departments, the fire departments and the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) of the nine participating municipalities as well as members of the private sector, including designated public institutions.
 
In addition, volunteer groups and students, who will bear the future of our country, participated in today’s drills enthusiastically. In past disasters, we needed an ‘All-Japan’ effort such that all of us work together to overcome them. Your participation is truly encouraging.
 
The natural conditions of Japan make all parts of the country prone to disasters, such as earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rains, and volcanic eruptions. This year as well, events such as torrential rains in the northern region of Kyushu from last week, and the earthquake centered offshore of Yamagata Prefecture in June, have caused damage in various areas across Japan. I would like to once again express my condolences for the people who lost their lives and my deepest sympathies to everyone who has been affected. The Government will continue to exert every effort for the emergency response, and the recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas.
 
In order to overcome the impacts of disasters, it is important that each and every person have the mindset to protect their own lives, evacuate appropriately based on disaster prevention and weather information, and be fully prepared for times of emergency as part of their daily lives.
 
Practical drills like the one we had today are extremely important, and I hope that they will help ensure disaster preparedness by developing strong connections between people in the community and the organizations involved in disaster management and deepening understanding about the risks in the areas where you live and the specific actions that should be taken during times of disaster.
 
The Government will continue to take all possible measures related to disaster management to protect the lives, property, and lifestyles of the Japanese people in preparation for a range of disasters, including the Tokyo Inland Earthquake and Nankai Trough Earthquake which are feared to occur.
 
In closing, I would like to express my sincere respect and appreciation to everyone who undertook such difficult preparations for this large-scale disaster drill, and everyone who participated seriously in today’s drills.”