Tokyo's Continued Efforts to Support Kumamoto Earthquake Recovery: Meeting Highlights

On August 17, 2023, Tokyo convened the fifth meeting of the "Kumamoto Earthquake Support Coordination Conference," aimed at strategizing ongoing assistance following the recent earthquake that struck Kumamoto. The meeting, starting at 14:45, gathered officials to discuss the city’s response efforts and share updates on support initiatives currently underway.

Tokyo's government has actively mobilized resources to assist affected areas, with a variety of measures tailored to meet the needs of the disaster victims. These include dispatching personnel and water supply vehicles, securing public housing for evacuees, and initiating fundraising efforts for donations. Throughout the meeting, various departments provided detailed reports on their respective activities:

- A total of 133 personnel have been dispatched for roles such as supporting evacuation center operations, conducting housing damage assessments, and issuing disaster certificates.
- The city is leveraging platforms like Bousai X to disseminate information about its response to the earthquake and the current circumstances in Kumamoto.
- Support programs focusing on women's needs have been implemented, providing essentials like liquid milk, diapers, and sanitary products, alongside women staff members who assist with operations at evacuation centers.
- In response to requests from Kumamoto Prefecture, the Tokyo government plans to send dust masks suitable for asbestos handling and neck coolers for residents.
- Cooling sheets and heat management tools have been distributed in evacuation centers to ensure the comfort and safety of evacuees during the hot summer months.

During the discussion, the Governor stressed the importance of recovering vital lifelines and rebuilding livelihoods in the impacted area. He emphasized the necessity of continuing empathetic support for the victims and utilizing lessons learned from this experience to improve future disaster response strategies. Two direct instructions were issued to the attending departments:

1. Ensure meticulous and responsive support for the needs specific to maintaining and improving living conditions for victims during recovery and reconstruction efforts.
2. Carefully review insights and challenges drawn from this response to enhance Tokyo's disaster preparedness for future incidents, including urban earthquakes and natural calamities.

In conjunction with the Kumamoto earthquake meeting, the city also hosted the inaugural meeting of the "Chiba Heavy Rain Support Coordination Conference," discussing the rainfall situation, upcoming weather forecasts, and the current conditions regarding human and material damages. Updates were shared from various agencies, with the Governor advising for readiness to act swiftly and precisely according to the needs of the affected areas.

The Governor concluded the session with a consolidated directive, highlighting the need to enhance the resilience of Tokyo as a sustainable urban hub. He specified that the city’s commitment to protect residents' lives and improve urban safety in light of experiences from both the Kumamoto earthquake and the Chiba heavy rain calls for thorough reassessment of disaster preparedness measures across departments.

Tokyo remains steadfast in its pledge to provide unwavering support to the affected areas while continuously strengthening the city's disaster response capabilities. As collaborative efforts are set to advance, the Tokyo government is committed to learning from the ongoing challenges and ensuring a more resilient future.

Previous Actions Taken by Tokyo Post-Kumamoto Earthquake

- July 28: Held the first support coordination meeting.
- July 29: Deployed an emergency assistance team of eight members to Kumamoto.
- July 30: Established a fundraising campaign for disaster victims.
- Throughout early August: Numerous personnel and resources mobilized for various types of support including shelter operation assistance, water supply, and more.

To view detailed information from the meeting and access relevant documents, please refer to the official meeting materials on the Tokyo disaster management website.