Takaichi Vows Early Financial Aid for Kumamoto Quake-Hit Areas

Tokyo, July 29 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged Wednesday to disburse ordinary local allocation tax grants ahead of schedule to municipalities affected by Tuesday’s powerful earthquake in the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto. The administration will continue to provide so-called push-type assistance designed to send relief goods without waiting for requests for help from affected communities. The prime minister explained that the government is working to send food, water, toilet paper and power-supply vehicles to affected local governments. The prime minister unveiled the plans at a meeting of the government’s emergency disaster response headquarters, set up after the temblor, which registered up to 7, the highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, in some areas in Kumamoto. “As there are still people waiting for help, we’re in a race against time,” Takaichi said in the day’s meeting, instructing relevant officials to make full efforts in lifesaving and rescue operations. This is the first time the Takaichi administration has undertaken a major crisis response since its launch in October last year. She also instructed relevant officials to take all possible measures to restore infrastructure, ensure a good environment for evacuees and supply gasoline to evacuees living in their cars. Speaking to reporters, she said disaster-affected people should be careful of heatstroke. For the first time, the government deployed a digital coordination and emergency response team, or D-CERT, to the quake-hit areas. Comprising Digital Agency employees and others, the team will provide support such as assessing disaster situations and needs, and urgently establishing relevant digital systems. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that Jun Tsushima, a state minister of the Cabinet Office, had been sent to the quake-hit areas to enhance central government cooperation with municipalities. The top government spokesperson urged the public to be wary of misinformation and disinformation circulating online about the earthquake. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]