(Excerpt)
(Thursday, July 30, 2026, 10:45 am to 10:58 am)
[Opening remarks:]
- Minister)
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First, I would like to offer my sincere prayers for those who lost their lives in the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, which struck on the 28th. I would also like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster. With that in mind, the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Services Agency have taken measures, including asking private financial institutions, the Japan Finance Corporation, and other relevant institutions to respond flexibly so that residents and businesses in the affected areas do not experience cash-flow problems or other financial difficulties. Meetings of the Emergency Headquarters have already been held. On each occasion, I have explained this series of policies in my capacity as the minister responsible. Later today, I am also scheduled to provide an update on the follow-up measures. Under the Takaichi Cabinet’s policy of “doing everything we can” and “putting human lives first,” we will work in close coordination with the relevant parties and respond swiftly and appropriately to minimize the impact on people’s lives and the financial and economic sectors. In fact, Governor Kimura of Kumamoto Prefecture worked directly under me when I served as Minister of State for Regional Revitalization, and we have already been in close contact. Some people are also concerned about when the reserve fund will be used. We are currently moving ahead rapidly with push-type support, and supplies are already available on the ground. Based on lessons learned from past disasters, funding for these supplies has been included in the FY2026 budget. If any needs arise that cannot be met through that budgetary provision, we will respond immediately. However, based on my discussion with the Chief Cabinet Secretary this morning, no such needs have arisen as of now.
