Japan’s ⁤LDP Presidential Election: Candidates Clash on Disaster Prevention

A ​joint press conference of the nine candidates ⁣running for​ the LDP presidential election was held at party headquarters on the 13th. The ​concept ⁢of a “Ministry ‌of Disaster Prevention” was one of the points of contention.

Former Secretary​ General Shigeru ​Ishiba, who is of​ the opinion that the ​organization should be established, opposed ​former Environment ‍Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Digital Minister‌ Taro ‌Kono, who are elected from within the prefecture, saying, “This is not a discussion based on the organization.” Since preparations are urgently needed ⁤for an earthquake directly affecting the‌ Tokyo metropolitan area or a mega-earthquake along⁤ the Nankai Valley,⁢ the two sides were in direct conflict over the​ government’s disaster prevention and reconstruction measures.

Ishiba Calls for Centralized Disaster Prevention ⁣Agency

“It is even more unusual that there is no specialized ministry⁢ or agency in⁢ a country that ​is probably the most disaster-prone in the world,”⁢ Ishiba said, calling once again for the ‌creation of a government​ agency that would centrally handle everything from disaster prevention measures in normal ⁤times to initial response‍ in times⁢ of disaster, as well as recovery and reconstruction.

He said nearly 70 ‍percent of municipalities nationwide ⁢and the National Governors Association consider it “necessary,” and said: “First of all, we will start with the ⁣government, ​whatever happens anywhere in the‍ country, we can make it respond in the same way. This is ⁢the state’s ​responsibility.”

Other Candidates Weigh In on Disaster Prevention

Former Cabinet Secretary ‍Katsunobu Kato ​responded by saying, ‌”We absolutely must create a ‌crisis management agency” that will focus on the⁢ government’s coordination functions. Economic Security ‍Minister Sanae Takaichi called for strengthening the functions of the Reconstruction Agency and proposed amending ⁣the‌ law establishing the agency.

Koizumi said, “It is important for the government as a whole to strengthen cooperation,” objecting to arguments​ that rely on institutions. ⁤He ⁣then called on the government to “consider decentralizing ⁤the‍ capital’s functions” in preparation for major disasters such as an earthquake directly hitting ⁢the ‌capital.

Kono’s​ Experience with Disaster Prevention

The⁣ statements⁤ made by Mr.‍ Kono, ​the minister in ⁤charge of disaster prevention at the‌ time of the Kumamoto⁤ earthquake, were significant. His experience in⁢ handling disaster prevention and ⁤response will likely ⁣play⁢ a crucial role in the election.