Elevation of Specific Disaster Response Headquarters → Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters… Prime Minister presides over the meeting
“Instructions to send necessary supplies such as water, food, kerosene, gasoline, etc. by air and sea.”
Jiji News Agency, NHK, etc. reported that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will hold an emergency disaster response headquarters meeting on the morning of the 2nd in relation to the earthquake with the epicenter in the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, on the first day of the new year.
The ‘Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters’, with Prime Minister Kishida as the head of the headquarters, is an upgraded version of the ‘Specific Disaster Response Headquarters’ established earlier in accordance with the Framework Act on Disaster Countermeasures. It assesses the local damage situation and develops future response plans such as rescuing people and transporting necessary materials. The news agency pointed out that discussions are expected to take place. The Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters meeting is scheduled to be held after 9 a.m. on the 2nd.
Previously, Prime Minister Kishida responded to the earthquake with its epicenter on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture at his official residence for about six hours from the evening of the 1st, met with reporters, expressed condolences to the victims, and said, “Because the disaster occurred just before sunset, no information is available.” “It is difficult to collect information, but I have ordered you to stay up all night to collect local information,” he said.
Regarding the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to disaster disasters or the dispatch of police and fire aid units (support personnel), “there are great difficulties, such as roads being cut off.” “I have instructed you to use all means possible to enter the area as quickly as possible,” he explained.
Prime Minister Kishida explained that he received reports on the local situation by phone from the mayors of Wajima City and Suzu City in Ishikawa Prefecture, and personally received reports of local damage such as collapsed buildings and disconnection of infrastructure, as well as requests for support materials.
He told the press corps, “I have instructed that necessary supplies such as water, food, kerosene, and gasoline be sent by air or sea in a ‘push’ manner (support provided ahead of requests from local governments).”
Prior to this, Prime Minister Kishida ordered that the government unite as a whole to put human life first, respond with all its might to disaster emergency measures, deliver evacuation information accurately to the public, and quickly identify the damage situation.
The Japanese government set up a countermeasures room at the official residence crisis management center at 4:11 p.m., immediately after the earthquake. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and Disaster Prevention Minister Yoshifumi Matsumura entered the official residence after 4:30 to discuss response.
At a press conference held at 5 a.m., Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said, “At this point, it has been confirmed that there are no abnormalities” regarding nuclear power plants, including Hokuriku Electric Power and Shiga Nuclear Power Plant.
The Japanese government dispatched an investigation team headed by Deputy Cabinet Minister Atsushi Koga to the Ishikawa Prefectural Office.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kishida announced that he would check the cause and respond appropriately to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s announcement that an earthquake measuring magnitude 7 occurred after 11 p.m. on the 1st, but then canceled it, saying it was an error.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.