Prime Minister Naoto Kan held a Ministerial Meeting on the Mount Kirishima (Shinmoe-dake) Eruption at the Diet building.

The meeting was held following the observation of an explosive eruption at Mount Kirishima (Shinmoe-dake) on February 3.
After reports from Mr. Ryu Matsumoto, Minister of State for Disaster Management, and other relevant ministers on the current status and future outlook of the volcanic activities of Mount Kirishima (Shinmoe-dake), the extent of damage, and responses taken by ministries, it was confirmed that, for immediate responses to the eruption, the alert zone will be expanded, countermeasures will be taken against possible sediment disasters during the rain time due to volcanic ash, and evacuation routes will be established, among other measures.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address, "Although it is quite difficult to foresee the extent and duration of the eruption, the situation seems to require an even higher level of alertness.
Especially, as there were cases in the past where pyroclastic flow caused deaths, I ask you to make sure that this would not happen. Furthermore, there is a great concern about the damage caused by volcanic ash, and I would like to see responses taken for these concerns through necessary administrative provisions, and regulations if the situation requires."