Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday visited Okayama, one of the prefectures hit hardest by devastating torrential rains in western Japan, to inspect the extent of the damage and obtain firsthand information about the situation of evacuees.

Abe was flown in a Self-Defense Forces' helicopter to see areas ravaged by landslides and floods following the heavy rains since last Thursday and also visited evacuee centers, where he pledged to step up government support to restore the livelihoods of those affected..

(Supplied photo shows Prime Minister Shinzo Abe viewing the rain-ravaged area from a helicopter)

In Okayama Prefecture alone, more than 50 people lost their lives in flood-hit Mabi district in the city of Kurashiki and other areas.

Abe was originally scheduled to embark on a trip to Europe and the Middle East on Wednesday, but canceled the plan to deal with Japan's most serious rain-related disaster since 1982, which so far has claimed more than 150 lives.

He is planning to also visit Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures, both of which are seriously affected by the torrential rains, in the near future.


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In an elementary school gymnasium in the city of Kurashiki, he shook hands and exchanged words with some evacuees.

When an 88-year-old woman expressed concern about what those displaced by the disaster were going to do, Abe mentioned a plan to build temporary housing for them.

In Okayama Prefecture alone, more than 50 people died in the flood-hit Mabi district of the city of Kurashiki and other areas.

Abe was originally scheduled to embark on a trip to Europe and the Middle East on Wednesday, but canceled his travel plans to deal with Japan's most serious rain-related disaster since 1982, which so far has claimed more than 170 lives.

He is also planning to visit Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures, both of which have been seriously affected by the torrential rains, in the near future.