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On October 15, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the fifth 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,
 
“In the disaster-affected areas, the members of the police, fire departments, the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard have come together from all parts of Japan, and are making every effort towards their search, rescue and relief activities, so as to save as many lives as possible. With regard to the early restoration of lifelines including electricity and water, we are making all-out efforts towards the earliest recovery possible, including the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces to clear away fallen trees, in addition to the ongoing efforts made by the service operators.
 
With respect to the inundation, we have mobilized about 200 drainage pump vehicles from across the country to respond. We have almost cleared up the inundation at 58 locations in 16 prefectures, including Marumori Town in Miyagi Prefecture, where the town hall and other buildings had been inundated, and Sano City in Tochigi Prefecture, where there had been widespread flooding in residential areas.
 
Going forward, health supervision and hygiene control for evacuees and those who are affected by the disaster will become essential, as some are expected to stay in evacuation centers for a prolonged period. We will extend bathing assistance and water supply assistance through the Self-Defense Forces, and start working on crime prevention measures and consultation services. We will continue to stay fully aware of the feelings of those affected by the disaster and provide more attentive support.
 
In the disaster-affected areas, a massive amount of disaster waste has been generated, such as furniture and tatami mats, as well as a large amount of soil and sand accompanying the collapse of river embankments. I ask you to identify the state of that waste and assistance needs through closely collaborating with local governments, and not only dispatch waste collection vehicles but also secure a wide are for disposal.
 
Three days have passed since the disaster struck, and the needs in the affected areas are changing day by day and moment by moment. I ask all of you to continue to monitor the local needs through the Team to Support the Daily Lives of Disaster Victims and exert every effort to help those affected by the disaster, collaborating beyond the organizational boundaries of ministries and agencies as well as national and local governments.”
 
*Typhoon Hagibis