Summary of Minister Kaneko's Press Conference

On August 25, 2026, Yasushi Kaneko, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, reported on his inspection of Kumamoto Prefecture, his official visits to the Philippines and Malaysia, and the successful launch of Michibiki-7. The question-and-answer session covered railway accidents, information transmission during heavy rains, aviation safety, domestic flights, and the International Tourist Tax.

Visits, stays, sightseeing, and purchases of local products in Kumamoto and other parts of Kyushu were explained as contributing to support for disaster-affected areas and their recovery and reconstruction.

Michibiki-7 is expected to improve the reliability of aircraft position information and flight operations, with cancellations at Amakusa Airport projected to be cut in half.

Schedule coordination by JAL and ANA was described as an initiative that will improve air travel convenience and respond to diverse passenger needs.

In Kumamoto, inspections were conducted of roads, water supply and wells, emergency temporary housing, and evacuation shelters. A call center is scheduled to open on August 26 to accept inquiries centrally and refer callers to contractors for repairs to on-site residential pipes after restoration of the main water supply pipes. Tourism promotion and support for restoring privately owned wells will be included in the package of support measures to be compiled during August.

Malaysia and Japan concluded a memorandum of cooperation in the maritime security field and will hold an annual meeting when the patrol vessel Fuji calls at port. Cooperation in maritime security with the Philippines was confirmed, and the first joint tourism working group will be held in Nagasaki in December 2026.

Regarding the Tobu Railway accident, the investigation of its causes, measures to prevent recurrence, renewed reviews of safety management systems among operators nationwide, and on-site inspections will be advanced. Information transmission during the heavy rains in Chiba will be reviewed with local governments, and the results of inquiries concerning the Japan Airlines crash will be released after preparations are completed.

The ministries responsible for the relevant programs will review the appropriateness and effectiveness of the use of the International Tourist Tax. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will coordinate with relevant organizations to allocate funds to more effective programs, ensure appropriateness, and increase transparency in the budget formulation process.