Japan to apply reconstruction aid law to all of Kumamoto Prefecture

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday that her government is preparing to apply the law on postdisaster livelihood reconstruction aid to all areas of Kumamoto Prefecture, which was hit by a powerful earthquake late last month.

Takaichi mentioned this at a meeting of the government’s emergency disaster response headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.

Under the law, families whose homes were destroyed or partially damaged in the July 28 temblor will be eligible for up to ¥3 million in aid to cover costs for housing construction, repair and rent.

Noting that “tomorrow will mark two weeks since the temblor,” the prime minister instructed disaster management minister Jiro Akama to speed up the issuance of disaster damage certificates in order to swiftly provide aid money under the law.

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake measured 7, the highest level on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, in some municipalities in the prefecture.

Takaichi also said that emergency vehicles will be able to use the entire Kyushu Expressway from Tuesday, after part of the expressway was halted following the quake, and that general vehicles are set to be given full access later this month.

She added that Kyushu Railway, or JR Kyushu, is expected to announce within this month when suspended railroad sections will be reopened.