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On July 8, 2020, the Prime Minister held the fourth meeting of the Emergency Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2020 at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

 “In addition to the heavy rains in the Kyushu region to date, heavy rain emergency warnings were issued in the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures today. Damage such as the overflowing of rivers and landslides have occurred in those areas. In the city of Yatsushiro and the village of Kuma, Kumamoto Prefecture, there are some districts still isolated. The Self-Defense Forces are currently providing necessary supplies there. In addition, some districts in the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures have also become isolated today. In those areas, the situation remains unpredictable, such that we still need to remain vigilant in case of landslides and the overflowing of rivers. I instruct relevant personnel to be dispatched, supplies to be delivered and every effort to be made, such as the removal of earth and sediment, to resolve those isolations. All those who are affected by this disaster must be spending their time with anxiety. I ask all those present in this meeting to be mindful of their feelings, and continue to prioritize human life above all and exert every effort in rescue and relief activities as well as the search for those missing, while collaborating with the local governments.

As evacuations are expected to be prolonged, support for the daily lives of the disaster victims becomes ever more crucial. In Kumamoto Prefecture, we have completed the arrangements for evacuees, especially approximately 1,200 people who need some care, to be accepted at hotels or Japanese inns. I ask the sufficient support to be provided for the evacuees to be transferred to hotels and other facilities. I want the government to make sure that the support for transfers to hotels and other facilities is provided. I also want the government to continue its work to secure accommodations as post-disaster temporary housing at hotels as well as at public housings, civil-servant housings and private-sector rental housings, so that people can stay there with peace of mind.

Moreover, in order to provide emergency housing and advance relevant works to rebuild housing, it is essential to issue Disaster Victim Certificates expeditiously. With a view to facilitate swift implementation of damage certification assessments by the municipalities, we have already made local governments outside Kumamoto Prefecture dispatch supporting staff to the seven municipalities in Kumamoto affected by the disaster. We will continue to extend support deemed to be necessary.

The seasonal rain front continues to remain stationary from western into eastern Japan, and there is also the possibility of heavy rains falling over a wide area tomorrow. In some locations, the ground has become loose because of the heavy rains that have fallen until now. There are concerns that even a small amount of rain could cause another disaster in those locations. I urge the public to continue to pay close attention to information from local authorities, and maintain the highest vigilance against landslides and the overflowing of rivers.”