20 Missing Due to Heavy Rain and Landslides in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] A landslide caused by heavy rain occurred in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, leaving about 20 people missing.

According to Japanese media such as NHK on the 3rd, a landslide occurred around 10:30 a.m. in Azusan, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, adjacent to Yokohama, washing away more than 10 houses and leaving about 20 people unaccounted for.

Police, firefighters, and the Self-Defense Forces are conducting rescue operations, and two people presumed missing were found in cardiopulmonary arrest.

About 180 residents were urgently evacuated due to the landslide. The number of damaged houses is estimated between 100 and 300, and two injured people were transported to hospitals.

Due to the active rainy season front in Japan, up to 400 to 500 mm of heavy rain fell over two days until 10 a.m. that day, mainly in the Pacific coastal areas including Shizuoka, Kanagawa, and Chiba Prefectures.

Heita Kawakatsu, Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture, said at a press conference that regarding the delayed increase in alert levels, "It cannot be said that there was absolutely no fault in the result."

Governor Kawakatsu explained the cause of the landslide as "a combination of various factors, including prolonged heavy rain and weakened ground."

As the rainy season front stalled along the Pacific coast causing heavy rain, the operation of the Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs between Tokyo and Osaka, was temporarily suspended.

The Japanese government held a meeting of related ministers at 5 p.m. that day to discuss measures against the heavy rain damage. The government also established a countermeasures office at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who presided over the meeting, mentioned the possibility of additional rain and urged related ministers to remain as vigilant as possible.

He also instructed to work closely with local governments to fully assess the damage situation and focus on emergency measures.

Prime Minister Suga further requested that people pay close attention to evacuation information from local governments and act promptly to protect lives.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.