Japan classifies Kumamoto quake as a disaster of extreme severity
State subsidy rates will rise by around 10% to 20%, easing costs for affected municipalities, while measures extend driving-licence validity and delay bankruptcy proceedings.
- The "disaster of extreme severity" classification allows the Japanese government to increase subsidy rates for recovery projects by 10% to 20% in affected municipalities.
- This increased financial support applies to the repair of roads, infrastructure, and agricultural facilities.
- The government also enacted special administrative relief measures, such as extending the validity of driving licenses and delaying bankruptcy proceedings for victims.
Municipalities affected by the July 28 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture will receive greater financial support from the Japanese government under a decision taken on Friday (August 7).
Classifying the disaster as one of extreme severity allows subsidy rates for recovery projects to rise by around 10% to 20%, reducing local authorities’ costs.
The support applies to repairs to roads and other infrastructure as well as agricultural facilities.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for stronger recovery efforts and support for operators and businesses at a meeting of the government’s emergency disaster response headquarters.
“We need to strengthen efforts for full restoration and support agricultural, forestry and fishery operators, as well as small and midsize businesses,” she stressed.
Separately, the government invoked legislation providing special administrative relief after disasters.
The measures include extensions to the validity of driving licences and delays to bankruptcy proceedings.
The Kumamoto case is the law’s ninth application.
Earlier uses include responses to the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in western Japan and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
