Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

REPORTER: […] I would like to ask a question about Typhoon No. 10 (Typhoon Haishen). While the typhoon has subsided into an extratropical cyclone, please share with us the latest state of damage that the Government has confirmed. This time, not only the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) but also the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have called on people to take early precautions against the typhoon every day. Though there were losses of life, many residents evacuated safely as a result of such calls. Could you share with us your assessment?
 
DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY OKADA: With regard to casualties that the Government has identified so far in connection with Typhoon No. 10, it has been reported that two people have lost their lives, regarding which the authorities are investigating the relation with the typhoon, four people are missing, 11 people have suffered serious injuries, and 81 people have suffered mild injuries. I extend my sympathy to those who have lost their lives and express my condolences for those who have been affected by the disaster. Concerning the four people who are missing as a result of landslides in Shiiba Village, Miyazaki Prefecture, police and firefighters have continued their search from early this morning. To prevent secondary disasters from search operations, MLIT’s Technical Emergency Control FORCE (TEC-FORCE) is dispatching experts on landslide disasters. With respect to lifelines, around 80,000 homes have suffered power outages and around 1,300 homes have suffered water stoppages, while for telecommunications 200 land lines are disrupted and mobile phone connectivity is partially disrupted in 100 municipalities. The relevant authorities and service providers are continuing to exert every effort to restore them as early as possible. With regard to your question just now on the early calls for evacuation, the Government had gathered information and made necessary responses in advance by holding meetings among the relevant ministers so as to prepare for any damage caused by Typhoon No.10, and sent early warnings to the public, which include alerts made by the Minister of State for Disaster Management as well as the provision of information through joint press conference by the JMA and MLIT. I believe that such efforts, among others, have helped to minimize the damage as much as possible. We will continue to provide information to the public in a timely and accurate way, as well as prioritize human life above all and exert every effort in emergency and disaster response while collaborating closely with the local governments.
 
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