After the strong earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, the rescue efforts in the affected areas continue. The mayor of Yatsushiro City, which suffered severe damage, Yukisuke Ono, expressed his gratitude for the concern and assistance from various sectors in Taiwan during a phone interview with the Central News Agency. He described Taiwan as “Japan’s best neighbor,” emphasizing that whenever Japan faces major disasters, Taiwan always extends a helping hand promptly. He believes that this warm support will undoubtedly become a crucial force in the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas.
President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lai Ching-te announced today (July 31) that following the Kumamoto earthquake, he, Vice President Hsu Mei-chin, Premier Su Tseng-chang, and Vice Premier Shen Lyu-chun have made donations, with local mayors also expressing goodwill. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a donation account to encourage donations from the industrial, business sectors, and the public to help Japan overcome this difficult time.
Yukisuke Ono mentioned that the most urgent issue in Yatsushiro City currently is not search and rescue but the essential needs of the residents. The earthquake resulted in damage to the water supply pipes, leaving approximately 56,000 out of 118,000 residents in the city without access to running water, nearly half of the population. With the scorching heat, some areas face difficulties as they cannot use air conditioning due to power outages, making life in shelters even more challenging.
“The biggest issue is still water,” Ono stressed. Currently, some people are residing in shelters, some remain at home, while many are forced to spend nights in their vehicles. With the hot weather, many residents have to keep their engines running for air conditioning, leading to another problem: “shortage of gasoline.”
He expressed that currently, there are long queues at gas stations in Yatsushiro City, causing severe traffic congestion in the city. Although Yatsushiro Port has reserves of oil facilities, the earthquake-induced soil liquefaction has rendered the access roads impassable. Fortunately, the Kumamoto Prefectural Government has been working to repair the roads at a rapid pace, and on the 30th, the transportation of gasoline from the oil storage base to the city has commenced, with the supply situation expected to improve gradually. However, continuous coordination from the central government is still necessary to ensure an adequate supply of fuel.
Regarding the search and rescue efforts, Ono pointed out that due to collapsed buildings, there may be individuals trapped in Yatsushiro City. A comprehensive search operation has been ongoing and is mostly completed. However, in the nearby town of Hyuga, where the situation with collapsed houses is more severe, rescue teams are still conducting searches to see if any residents are still trapped.
Speaking of the donations and rescue initiatives launched by various sectors in Taiwan, Ono mentioned that due to language barriers, “sending material or financial aid is more suitable than sending personnel.” Currently, the most needed items are drinking water, food, and basic toiletries for daily living. As the period of sheltering prolongs, the demand for equipment to improve living conditions, such as cardboard beds and shelter partitions, will gradually increase. When asked if Taiwan civic groups offering meals in the disaster area would be welcomed, Ono expressed a warm invitation, saying, “It is highly welcomed.”
He humorously added, “If hot meals, especially Taiwanese cuisine, can be provided, I believe the Japanese people will be delighted.” He believes that hot food not only fills the stomach but also brings a sense of comfort to exhausted survivors, providing significant relief.
Expressing his gratitude once again to Taiwan for the generous donations, including President Lai Ching-te’s pledge to donate 1 million Japanese yen personally, Ono stated, “Taiwan is truly Japan’s best neighbor.” He emphasized that every time Japan faces a major disaster, Taiwan always offers very warm support. “Not just President Lai, but also many Taiwanese people have extended their help, and I am truly grateful.” The goodwill from Taiwan will serve as a vital force in the reconstruction of the disaster-affected areas.