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On July 9, 2020, the Prime Minister held the fifth 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,
 
“The seasonal rain front still remains stationary and it is pouring heavily areas across the regions. Those heavy rains are expected to continue for the time being and, because of the heavy rains that have fallen until now, there are concerns that even a small amount of rain could cause another disaster. Therefore, it is critical to maintain the highest level of vigilance.
 
At the disaster-affected areas in the eight prefectures, including Kumamoto, Oita and Gifu, a total of 130,000 police, firefighters, and members of the Japan Coast Guard and the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are currently conducting rescue and relief activities, as well as other relevant activities around the clock, mobilizing fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and patrol vessels. Furthermore, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Technical Emergency Control FORCE (TEC-FORCE) is engaged in various work such as drainage activities in the flooded areas and the recovery of National Route 219 in Kumamoto Prefecture, which has suffered significant damage.
 
The government must work as one for the recovery and reconstruction of the disaster-affected areas at the earliest time possible. I ask all those members here to accelerate assessments and reviews towards the designation as a ‘Disaster of Extreme Severity’ and ‘specific extraordinary disaster’ as soon as possible, including in Nagano and Gifu Prefectures, where damage has newly occurred. By doing so, we will ensure that local governments affected by the disaster can work on their recovery and other efforts without worrying about how to finance them, and assist the disaster victims in their efforts to rebuild their daily lives.
 
In addition, securing means of communication, such as mobile phones, is essential for recovery and other relevant efforts in the disaster-affected areas. In Kumamoto, Oita, Kagoshima, Nagano, and Gifu Prefectures, where the telecommunication infrastructure has been severely damaged, the Telecom Emergency Assistance Members dispatched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is collaborating with the telecommunications service providers and working on recovery activities.
 
The widespread telecommunications issues faced by the city of Hitoyoshi have been significantly improved. Meanwhile, other areas across those regions are still facing similar issues. I ask all those involved to take necessary measures so as to restore telecommunications at the earliest date possible.
 
The efforts to support the daily lives of the disaster victims are progressing. In addition to delivering food and beverages as well as other daily necessities in line with local needs through push-mode support, we have increased the number of government staff dispatched to the disaster-affected areas to around 370. They are providing support to local governments affected by the disaster and engaging in other relevant works. For disaster victims that are having difficulty bathing due to water stoppages and other reasons, the SDF is providing bathing support at five evacuation centers in Kumamoto Prefecture today.
 
The needs of the disaster victims are changing with every moment. I ask that you accurately assess the local needs and exert every effort to provide them with the necessary support, collaborating beyond the organizational boundaries of ministries and agencies as well as national and local governments.
 
The seasonal rain front will remain stationary near Honshu and there is also the possibility of heavy rains falling once again across western and eastern Japan tomorrow. 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.”