Press Conference by Defense Minister Kihara on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 10:51 AM

(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)

I will report on the Self-Defense Forces’ (SDF’s) response to the heavy rains from September 20. Seven days have passed since heavy rains struck Ishikawa Prefecture. I would like to again express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives, and extend my heartfelt sympathies to those who have been affected. Today, September 27, the SDF is conducting various operations through approximately 1,300 personnel and 10 aircraft, while paying careful attention to prevent secondary damage. Specifically, as of yesterday, September 26, the SDF has rescued 148 people and eliminated road obstacles to end the isolation of certain areas in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other parties. The SDF is also conducting activities such as transporting approximately 18 tons of relief supplies, including water and food, and providing approximately 280 tons of water supply support to isolated areas and others who have been affected. In particular, I have received reports that, thanks to activities such as the elimination of road obstacles and support by SDF helicopters for mass evacuations from isolated areas of Wajima City, as of yesterday, the number of isolated areas has decreased to four, specifically one in Wajima City and three in Suzu City. Nevertheless, there are still people in the affected areas whose whereabouts and safety have not yet been confirmed. Furthermore, there are people whose lives have been affected by the recent earthquake and whose lives have now again been affected by these heavy rains. In fact, there are people who are now evacuating from isolated areas and who are once again aboard SDF aircraft, having done so also in January following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. I can imagine that the people who have been affected by this recent disaster while still working towards reconstruction from the previous earthquake are in a state of great uncertainty, including the possibility of spending prolonged periods evacuated from their homes. To ensure that support reaches these people who are on the ground and feeling such uncertainty, the Ministry of Defense and the SDF will continue to exert every effort not only for search and rescue operations but also for livelihood assistance, and will conduct activities that are attentive to the needs of the people affected by the disaster.