61877 But seeing the images of the disaster area after the earthquake has struck must have increased the anxiety of many people.
61878 Even after one full day has passed, smoke is still going up everywhere in Kobe.
61879 Although it has been reported that missing persons are trapped under the rubble, they have yet to be rescued.
61880 Additionally, sufficient food supplies have not been reaching the earthquake victims and reportedly there is even a concern about starvation.
61881 Lifelines such as water, sewage, electricity, gas, communications, and transportation remain disrupted.
61882 It is hard to believe that this is the scene in "Japan, the economic superpower."
61883 It even calls into question if the government ever had a proper manual in the event a disaster strikes.
61884 The government set up the Headquarters for Major Disaster Countermeasures immediately after the earthquake and it has been reported that Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama instructed it to devise "urgent and prompt countermeasures."
61885 The Self-Defense Forces also immediately dispatched three units to the Kobe area.
61886 We do not think that there were delays in taking action.
61887 However, when the trucks carrying the relief supplies became held up on their way to the disaster area, or when we see the flames left uncontrolled, we cannot help but wonder if there weren't more precise measures.
61888 Japan is an archipelago that cannot escape earthquakes.
61889 Also, the urban structure cannot be altered in a short period of time.
61890 As such, follow-up measures based on the possible damage should be an issue we should always keep in mind.
61891 Such issues as the government chain of command leading up to the appropriate rescue work, relief effort, assignment of work among the central and local governments, operation procedures and other concerned issues must be addressed.