Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Visits Noto Peninsula... September Heavy Rain to Be Designated as 'Gyeoksim Disaster'

First Local Visit After Inauguration

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba (center front row) inspecting the disaster site in Wajima City.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Honshu, which was affected by earthquakes and heavy rains, marking his first regional visit since taking office. Kyodo News and other outlets reported that he announced plans to designate the September heavy rain damage as a "severe disaster."

During this visit, Prime Minister Ishiba inspected Wajima City and Suzu City, which suffered significant damage from a strong earthquake earlier this year and recent heavy rains. He toured fire sites and flooded temporary housing, met with evacuees at shelters to hear their opinions, and offered consolation.

The Noto Peninsula experienced over 340 deaths from the strong earthquake in January, and 14 people lost their lives due to the heavy rains last month. With earthquake recovery still incomplete, the recent heavy rains have exacerbated difficulties for local residents.

In response, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Prime Minister Ishiba plans to designate the September heavy rain damage as a severe disaster. This is expected to expand government support for local governments and enable the swift execution of recovery funds. The strong earthquake in January had already been designated as a severe disaster.

Additionally, Prime Minister Ishiba announced plans to proceed with preparations for establishing a Disaster Prevention Agency and promised to significantly increase personnel and budget for disaster prevention within the Cabinet Office.

In his inaugural speech to the National Diet, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized accelerating the recovery and creative revitalization of the Noto region and declared that disaster prevention policies prioritizing human lives would be implemented.

Prime Minister Ishiba instructed that additional contingency funds be secured by mid-month for disaster recovery in the Noto region, which appears to be part of his key pledges, including the establishment of the Disaster Prevention Agency and strengthening regional revitalization policies.