Abe Visits Disaster-Hit Okayama Pref.

July 11, 2018

Kurashiki, Okayama Pref.- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Okayama Prefecture Wednesday to see firsthand the damage, such as burst dikes and landslides, that recent torrential rain inflicted on the western Japan prefecture.

Speaking to reporters in the city of Okayama after the inspection, Abe said, "The government will work to quickly designate the torrential rain as a disaster of extreme severity." The designation would make affected areas eligible for greater financial aid for reconstruction.

He spoke with people affected by the disaster to have their opinions reflected in government support measures.

Abe observed the disaster-hit Mabi district of Kurashiki and damaged parts of the city of Takahashi from a Self-Defense Forces helicopter. He was accompanied by Okayama Governor Ryuta Ibaragi and officials from the land ministry. The officials provided the prime minister with an overview of the damage.

About a quarter of Mabi was flooded and there were numerous reports of casualties. Takahashi was badly affected by landslides.

After some 45 minutes observing the areas from the air, Abe visited a flooded part of the city of Kurashiki to offer flowers and a silent prayer for the victims.

He then visited a local elementary school that has been turned into an evacuation center.

"I understand that life at evacuation centers is tough," Abe told evacuees at the center. "I'll do as much as I can to improve your living conditions."

This is Abe's first visit to areas affected by the heavy rains, which mainly struck across western Japan last week. He also plans to go to other badly affected prefectures--Hiroshima and Ehime.

The death toll from the disaster reached 167 in 12 prefectures on Wednesday, with 79 people still missing in six prefectures, authorities said. Jiji Press