Financial Measures for Tochigi Flood Disaster, July 17–18, 2026

This request concerns disaster victims and others in Tochigi Prefecture where the Disaster Relief Act was applied following disasters caused by heavy rain from July 17 to 18, 2026. The Utsunomiya Office of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau and the Bank of Japan requested that deposit-taking financial institutions, securities companies and similar firms, life insurance companies, non-life insurance companies, small-amount short-term insurers, and electronic claim record institutions respond with due consideration for the safety of customers and employees. They stated that the same measures would also be requested if additional areas become subject to the Disaster Relief Act.

The requests were intended to promote detailed, flexible, and prompt responses tailored to the circumstances of disaster victims and others, facilitating deposit withdrawals, lending, insurance claims, debt restructuring consultations, and other services. Each institution was also asked to inform customers about the measures being implemented and the status of its business branches.

Deposit-taking financial institutions were asked to provide withdrawals based on identity verification when documents had been lost; early withdrawals of time deposits and other deposits and loans secured by collateral; consideration for bills, checks, and electronically recorded monetary claims; exchange of damaged currency; and consultations regarding lost government bonds. The requests also included establishing lending consultation desks, simplifying required documents, expediting loans, changing terms such as payment deferrals, consultations under debt restructuring guidelines, allowing disaster certificates to be submitted later, and providing services on holidays, outside regular hours, and through ATMs.

Securities companies and similar firms were asked to cooperate in reissuing securities and to pay proceeds from sales or cancellations on the same day whenever possible. Insurance companies and similar firms were asked to provide guidance on claims when insurance policies or similar documents had been lost, expedite insurance payments, and extend grace periods for life and non-life insurance premium payments. Electronic claim record institutions were asked to show consideration regarding dispositions such as transaction suspensions, provide services on holidays and outside regular hours, and post and announce information about the measures and business branch operations.