(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
The Self-Defense Forces (SDF) is continuing operations today with 5,100 personnel. First, with regard to water supply support, water supply units mainly from the Western Army Artillery Regiment and the 42nd Rapid Deployment Regiment are continuing to provide water today. Approximately 69,000 households remained without running water as of 11:00 a.m. today. Since the earthquake occurred, the SDF has supplied water to a total of approximately 350,000 people as of yesterday. In terms of volume, this is equivalent to approximately 710 tons. We will continue to make every effort to ensure that water reaches those who need it. Also, in response to urgent requests from hospitals facing shortages of water required for dialysis, we have so far completed the provision of approximately 390 tons of water to ten hospitals, including Saiseikai Misumi Hospital and Kumamoto Rosai Hospital where deliveries were completed yesterday. This water is for sustaining lives. Regarding bathing support, bathing support units mainly from the Ground Self-Defense Force’s 8th Logistic Support Regiment have been providing shower facilities at the Hinokimi Cultural Center in Kumamoto City since yesterday. The SDF can provide bathing support in the form of baths or showers. When we asked the City of Kumamoto, it responded that showers were preferable in the summer heat. Therefore, we are providing showers. Yesterday, the showers were used by 259 affected people. Today, bathing support will again be available from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The vessel JS ENSHU, which had been berthed at Yatsushiro Port, moved to Misumi Port in Uki City today. Using water carried aboard JS ENSHU, a bathing support unit comprised mainly of personnel from the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (MSDF) Kure Naval Base is scheduled to provide shower facilities at Misumi Port Green Park in Uki City from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Additionally, using water carried aboard the vessel JS BUNGO, which is currently berthed at Yatsushiro Port, a bathing support unit comprised mainly of personnel from the MSDF’s Sasebo Naval Base is scheduled to provide both showers and baths from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the port. So, bathing support will be available at three locations beginning today. Furthermore, of the two C-130 transport aircraft that departed the Air Self-Defense Force’s Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture this morning, one aircraft will transit to Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, and Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture. The other aircraft will transit to Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture and Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture. The aircraft are collecting shower sets from SDF bases across the country and transporting them to the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Vice-Camp Takayubaru in Kumamoto Prefecture. Preparations are underway to make these facilities available to affected people from today onward. The locations where they will be installed are currently being coordinated. Preparations are also underway for the vessel HAKUOU II to call at Yatsushiro Port in order to provide bathing facilities, accommodation, and meals on a larger scale. That concludes my update for today.