(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, I visited areas affected by the earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture and offered words of encouragement to the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel working in the respective locations. I then met with Governor Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture and held a candid exchange of views on the current status of the damage. I once again would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in this earthquake and my heartfelt sympathies to all those who have been affected. In the affected areas in Kumamoto Prefecture, in the locations where the SDF is engaged in disaster relief operations, I saw firsthand SDF personnel carrying out their missions tirelessly amid the extreme heat spell to support the daily lives of those affected, including providing water and bathing facilities. I sensed the personnel’s strong determination to alleviate the concerns and difficulties of the affected people in however small a way. At the same time, seeing the personnel perform their missions with smiles, sincerity, and diligence despite the challenging conditions made me feel highly reassured and extremely proud. The words of gratitude expressed by those affected are the greatest source of encouragement to the personnel. I ask the personnel to continue to fulfil their missions while watching out for their safety, so that those affected can go back to their safe normal life as soon as possible. Tomorrow, the SDF’s bathing support will conclude at two locations: the Hinokimi Cultural Center in Kumamoto City and aboard JS HIUCHI at the wharf in Misumi Port, Uki City. However, residents can continue to use the bathing facilities that will remain available at five locations: Ogawa Disaster Prevention Center in Uki City, Uto Arena in Uto City, aboard JS URAGA and HAKUOU II at the wharf in Yatsushiro Port, and Hikawa Junior High School in Hikawa Town. To date, approximately 19,000 people in total have made use of the bathing support. The SDF will continue to provide warm baths and showers until the very last person waiting has been able to bathe. During my meeting with Governor Kimura today, he explained about the prefecture working around the clock to protect the lives and livelihoods of residents ever since the earthquake occurred, as well as about the many residents who are still forced to evacuate their homes in challenging conditions. The Governor also expressed his appreciation to the SDF for its efforts since the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, including lifesaving operations, water supply support, and other activities to support daily needs. For this disaster relief mission, amid the extreme heat spell, personnel across the internal bureaus, the staff offices, and units responded swiftly as one team to execute unprecedented operations, including transporting air-conditioning units within 24 hours of the earthquake, performing lifesaving activities, providing water and bathing support, and coordinating with relevant organizations. As Defense Minister, I would once again like to express how proud I am of all of our personnel as well as thank their families who support the personnel. In the wake of the earthquake, the U.S. Forces also delivered approximately 45 tons of relief supplies to Kumamoto Prefecture to help protect the lives and livelihoods of the affected people there, which demonstrated domestically and internationally that the Japan-U.S. Alliance functions to support disaster-affected people as well. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make this support possible, including U.S. Forces Japan, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the U.S. Pacific Command, the U.S. Department of War, and the U.S. Department of State. The Ministry of Defense and the SDF is continuing to provide water and bathing support even now. We will continue to work closely with Kumamoto Prefecture, the affected municipalities, and relevant organizations and commit to disaster relief efforts to ensure that the necessary support reaches all those affected. Last but not least, I heard earlier from Commanding General Toriumi of the Western Army that, among the members of the local press in front of me today, there are members who are continuing their reporting despite themselves being affected by the earthquake. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to them for continuing their reporting even under difficult circumstances. That concludes my opening remarks.