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On October 13, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for Typhoon No. 19* of 2019 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“The Government has established the Emergency Response Headquarters in light of the widespread and severe damage caused by Typhoon No. 19*. I ask everyone to exert every effort on rescue and relief activities for victims, the early restoration of lifelines, including electricity and water, and other measures to support those affected by the disaster, following the implementation principles, which we have just approved a moment ago.
 
More than anything, it is important to put people’s lives first and foremost. I ask all of you to exert every effort to rescue people in residences that have been isolated by flooding and to search for missing people. More than 110,000 police, firefighters, Japan Coast Guard personnel, and Self-Defense Forces personnel are giving their all for search and rescue activities. I ask you to continue that work overnight.
 
In addition, concerning emergency responses to river flooding, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has dispatched 140 drainage pump vehicles, which are now working to drain the flooded areas. Please further increase the number of vehicles from across the country to clear up the flooding as soon as possible.
 
At evacuation centers in the affected areas, many people are feeling anxious. Please offer push-mode support to prepare good living environments at evacuation centers and provide necessary items for the evacuees, including water, food, and cardboard beds, based on the actual local needs.
 
Due to the heavy rain, river levels are rising and the soil may have loosened in places. I ask the people to remain duly vigilant in case of landslides and flooding of rivers.”
 
*Typhoon Hagibis