Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Sends Self-Defense Force Helicopter for Emergency Aid in Wajima, Japan; Schools Closed Due to Heavy Rainfall

The Japanese government has ⁤revealed plans to send aid to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, which was severely affected by heavy rainfall⁢ over the weekend. Chief⁣ Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced on Monday that a Self-Defense⁢ Force helicopter will be dispatched with ‍10,000 servings​ of prepackaged dried rice and 8,000 disposable toilet bags. The announcement was made at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo. As a⁤ result‍ of⁢ the torrential rain in ⁤the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, all‍ nine elementary schools⁣ and three junior ‌high schools in Wajima will be temporarily closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some classrooms in a ‍makeshift school building located in‌ the city’s Kawai district have experienced leaks due⁤ to the heavy rain, although the damage is said⁤ to be limited.