[Title] Press Conference by the Prime Minister on the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

Let me mention secondary evacuation. The environment in the affected area remains both physically and mentally demanding, due to the cold winter in the Hokuriku region and prolonged evacuation. The restoration of infrastructure and the securing of housing in the quake-hit area, including isolated communities, will require a considerable amount of time. It is important for the affected people to actively consider moving to a safer environment, in order to protect their lives and health. Such secondary evacuation will also alleviate the congestion in evacuation centers, and it is crucial in terms of improving the environment in these centers in the affected area and preventing infectious diseases.

I am aware that, in today's Emergency Headquarters meeting of Ishikawa Prefecture, with regard to secondary evacuation, Governor Hase called for speeding up dual-track efforts to transport people from evacuation centers in the affected area and evacuees from isolated communities, and in doing so, requested people with high medical needs, expectant and nursing mothers, babies and infants, those receiving nursing care or welfare services for persons with disabilities, and elderly people aged 75 or older and their family members, to actively consider secondary evacuation in particular. I also intend to provide government-wide support to ensure that such evacuation efforts will be conducted properly, and once again I would like to call on these people to positively consider secondary evacuation to protect their lives and health.

The Government, on its part, will further increase secondary evacuation shelters and secure a necessary and sufficient number of such facilities, in addition to hotels, inns, and other facilities secured thus far, so that we can