Noto Peninsula Earthquake

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Says ‘Don’t Give Up Rescue Efforts’ Even Though 72-hour Window Passed

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:43 JST, January 5, 2024

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the ministries and agencies concerned to do their utmost to rescue people on Friday although the 72-hour rescue window, when the survival rate is considered to drop off, has passed since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred on Monday.

At a meeting of the government’s Emergency Headquarters for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake held at the Prime Minister’s Office, Kishida said, “Please don’t give up rescue efforts though rescue operations are facing difficulties in some areas.” He added, “I want you to ask to carry out operations in persistent manner without failing to find people.”

Kishida emphasized the need to start to secure housing for affected people as soon as possible and indicated his intention to accelerate preparations for constructing temporary and public housing for disaster survivors.

Kishida also urged related ministries to deal with the preparation for the disposal of disaster waste, such as debris.