Minister Kaneko Briefs on Floods, Shipping Safety, Maglev, and Bills

The press conference addressed the Blue Feather Fund supporting maritime rescue during the summer season, disaster response to heavy rain and typhoons, the safety of Japan-related vessels, the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line, and bills related to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

As of 7:00 a.m. on July 7, damage from heavy rain beginning on July 4 included partial damage to homes from landslides in Saga Prefecture, road closures mainly in western Japan, and the suspension of services on part of the JR Yodo Line.

The minister indicated that he would advance coordination with relevant organizations and early action on disasters, shipping, transport infrastructure, and energy-efficiency policy, all of which are directly linked to public safety.

If heavy rain and approaching typhoons continue, landslides, road closures, and rail service suspensions may occur. Residents are urged to check the latest typhoon information and prepare early if a typhoon is forecast to approach Japan.

Ensuring the safety of Japan-related vessels, particularly their crew members, is the highest priority. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will continue gathering and providing information to relevant parties amid the situation in the Middle East, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries.

The bills are intended to address the safety of sewerage systems and roads, as well as energy efficiency and decarbonization of buildings. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will continue providing careful explanations to secure their early enactment during the current Diet session.

The Blue Feather Fund is led by the Japan Marine Rescue Association and supports volunteer rescue workers engaged in maritime rescue. The Japan Coast Guard and others also cooperate, with fundraising activities concentrated during the summer marine recreation season.

For disaster response, the ministry uses hotlines with local governments to assess damage information and support needs, and dispatches JETT teams to explain weather outlooks. It will continue coordinating with local public bodies and others in responding to affected areas.

Following the July 3 press conference, five Japan-related vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz from July 4 to July 6, with no abnormalities reported among crew members or vessels. Twenty-six vessels remain in the Persian Gulf.

Construction on the Shizuoka section has been halted for approximately eight years. At the prefectural assembly on June 26, Governor Suzuki stated that he would explain his decision on July 7. The minister said that, toward JR Central's early start of construction, the ministry would develop conditions in cooperation with relevant local governments and the company.

The two bills submitted are a proposed amendment to the Sewerage Act and related laws, reflecting the road cave-in accident in Yashio City and other incidents, and a proposed amendment to the Building Energy Efficiency Act aimed at carbon neutrality by 2050. Both have passed the House of Representatives and been sent to the House of Councillors. The minister indicated a policy of continuing careful explanations to secure their early enactment during the current Diet session.