Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on Saturday and announced his intention to designate the heavy rain that struck the area in September as a devastating disaster. This designation will enable the government to provide increased subsidies to support the affected areas.
Speaking to reporters, Ishiba stated, “We will promptly designate [the heavy rain] as a devastating disaster.” The Noto Peninsula had already been dealing with the aftermath of a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that occurred on January 1st when it was hit by torrential rain in September.
Recognizing the challenges faced by those living in these areas, Ishiba emphasized, “It is the responsibility of politics to properly respond to the people’s cries of ‘Why do we have to go through all this?'” By designating this event as a devastating disaster, it is hoped that additional resources and support can be provided for recovery efforts.
The Noto Peninsula has experienced significant hardships due to both natural disasters within a short period of time. With this designation, there is an opportunity for increased assistance from the government and other organizations. The Prime Minister‘s visit highlights his commitment to addressing these challenges and providing necessary aid for those affected by these unfortunate events.