“Visit as a self-defense standby… There is a possibility of schedule change due to weather etc.”
The local public broadcaster NHK and Asahi Shimbun reported on the 10th that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will inspect the earthquake-damaged area of the Noto Peninsula as early as the 13th.
The media reported this, citing Japanese government officials. This is Prime Minister Kishida’s first visit to the affected area since a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula on the 1st.
Prime Minister Kishida plans to personally understand the situation in the affected areas.
Prime Minister Kishida is expected to visit the site by self-defense unit and inspect evacuation shelters and temporary storage of support supplies. We also plan to meet with local government officials, including Ishikawa Prefecture Governor Hiroshi Hase.
Prime Minister Kishida emphasized on the 9th, “We will approach disaster victims (earthquake-related victims) and first identify and respond to their needs that change every day.”
However, there is a possibility that the schedule may change depending on the weather and conditions in the affected area. NHK reported that a schedule delayed beyond the 14th is also being considered.
To make matters worse, rain and cold struck the area affected by the Noto earthquake on the 10th. Rain is falling mainly on the Noto Peninsula.
Because the ground was weakened by the earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued heavy rain warnings for Wajima City, Suzu City, Nanao City, and Nakanotomachi in Ishikawa Prefecture. From the evening of the 10th, vigilance was urged to watch out for landslide disasters.
Seismic activity is still active on the Noto Peninsula and nearby areas. On the 8th, the Japan Meteorological Agency urged people to be careful of earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 5 or higher over the next month.
According to the Meteorological Administration, since the strong earthquake on the 1st, 1,281 earthquakes of magnitude 1 or higher were observed in the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas until 4 a.m. on the 10th.
The Japan Meteorological Agency divides earthquake shaking into 10 levels: intensity 0, intensity 1, intensity 2, intensity 3, intensity 4, intensity 5, intensity 5, intensity 6, intensity 6, and intensity 7. Jindo 0 is the lowest level. A seismic intensity level of 5 refers to shaking at a level that makes it difficult to walk without holding on to something. The shaking is enough to cause dishes, books, etc. from the desk to fall.
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.