Tokyo Coordinates Support for Chiba's Recovery from Torrential Rains

Governor Koike on August 17 attended the first meeting to coordinate Tokyo’s support for the damage caused by torrential rains in neighboring Chiba Prefecture in mid-August 2026.

The meeting was held in conjunction with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s fifth meeting to coordinate its support for Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, which was hit by a massive earthquake on July 28 and a string of aftershocks.

“The heavy rains in Chiba Prefecture prompted a Level 5 special warning and resulted in a record-breaking rainfall. Serious damage occurred, including the deaths of 10 people, due to road flooding and other causes,” Governor Koike told the meeting.  “I offer my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster.“

The governor said that she was issuing two instructions across the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) with regard to the August 13-14 rains and floods in Chiba.

1. Each TMG bureau should promptly gather information and prepare to provide human and material support with the aim of responding swiftly and appropriately to the needs of the affected areas.
2. Each TMG bureau should analyze and evaluate the measures taken in Chiba, including support for people unable to return home. Apply the findings to improve its future disaster response.

As for the Kumamoto quake, she explained, “Along with the restoration of essential services, efforts are underway to rebuild people’s lives.”

“As reported by the directors-general of bureaus, the metropolitan government is providing support tailored to the needs of the affected areas, including the dispatch of staff and the provision of supplies such as liquid milk formulas.”

The governor said she was issuing two instructions related to Kumamoto as her government wishes to make the most of the lessons learned from its support activities:

1. The TMG must respond with great care to the specific and detailed needs of disaster victims to help them maintain and improve their living conditions.
2. The TMG must carefully analyze the insights and challenges identified in the support experience, and apply them to strengthen its own disaster preparedness—particularly in anticipation of a major earthquake predicted by seismologists to occur directly beneath the capital city.

“In order to further enhance Tokyo’s resilience, which is the foundation of a sustainable city, it is essential to implement ‘capital defense’ initiatives that protect the lives and livelihoods of Tokyo residents,” Governor Koike said.

She called on TMG bureaus to reexamine their preparedness against disasters such as “large-scale earthquakes and wind and flood damage,” on the basis of what they have learned from the Kumamoto Earthquake and the Chiba torrential rains. 

“As disasters continue to occur, we will devote our full efforts to providing support that stands by the affected areas,” she said, “and at the same time the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Government will work as one to strengthen our disaster response capabilities.”