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On August 4, 2021, the Prime Minister held the second ministerial meeting on traffic safety measures at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions on urgent measures (draft) on traffic safety on roads in school zones and other areas and the eradication of drunk-driving, as well as the plan to set up a working group.

Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
"In Yachimata City, Chiba Prefecture, a truck crashed into a line of elementary school students on their way home from school, causing an extremely tragic accident in which five children suffered injuries or died. I express my deep condolences for the children who lost their lives and extend my heartfelt sympathies to those who were injured and their families.
 
In an attempt to make sure that passing vehicles will observe the speed limit of 30 km per hour, the municipal government of Yachimata City plans to place a structure on the road near the accident site by the end of this month, while installing crosswalks and guardrails. The Government will provide firm support for these measures.
 
In response to this accident, we have compiled emergency measures focusing on traffic safety on roads in school zones and the eradication of drunk-driving as part of all possible measures to ensure the safety of children.
 
First of all, we will aim to perform inspections by the end of September on roads in school zones around approximately 19,000 public elementary schools throughout Japan. In addition to existing dangerous areas, roads with good visibility, such as the site of the recent accident, and bypasses where cars tend to speed up, will also be targeted.
 
We will then aim to prepare a set of effective measures by the end of October, combining soft measures such as speed restrictions and blockage of traffic only during hours when children go to and from school, and hard measures such as installation of guardrails, with a view to implementing them as soon as possible.
 
Furthermore, in order to eradicate drunk-driving, we will not only strengthen crackdowns, but also make sure that all business establishments appoint a safe driving supervisor to provide guidance on safe driving, including the prevention of drunk-driving.
 
In order to protect the valuable lives of future generations from tragic traffic accidents, I would like to ask relevant ministers to make sure the entire government strives to steadily promote those emergency measures."