Prime Minister Shinzo Abe jointly held the 35th meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and fourth meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Council at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, deliberation took place on lifting an evacuation order in Kawauchi Village, Fukushima prefecture, and a report took place on progress with “the policy for accelerating Fukushima's reconstruction from the nuclear disaster,” the outcomes of confirming emergency responses in the Sendai district of Kagoshima Prefecture, and the holding of the fiscal 2014 Nuclear Energy Disaster Prevention Drill.

Based on the discussions, the Prime Minister said,

“I have decided to lift the evacuation order from Kawauchi Village. As a result, at long last, residents will begin returning starting in October. However, lifting the evacuation order is not the goal; it is the starting point toward reconstruction. We will also continue to provide powerful support after the order is lifted.
I want the relevant ministers to coordinate closely and strengthen response measures so that progress is made with lifting evacuation orders in other cities, towns and villages, including Naraha Town.
In addition, for the hope and self-reliance of disaster-affected regions, the Government as a whole will move forward with making the Innovation Coast Scheme a reality and formulating a future vision for the region.
With regard to emergency responses, including the evacuation plan for the Sendai region, a working team in which the prefecture, relevant cities and towns, and relevant agencies and ministries participated has confirmed that the responses are “specific and rational” and I have approved this.
　So that it is possible to obtain the understanding of local communities, I would like the relevant ministries and agencies and relevant organizations to strive to continue to provide careful explanations, along with working to boost effectiveness and make further improvements and enhancements.
　Where other regions are concerned too, the Government will work as one to provide thorough support to municipalities so that similar efforts move forward in other regions as well. Alongside this, the Government’s nuclear power disaster prevention frameworks must be enhanced and strengthened promptly. I would like Minister Mochizuki to move this steadily ahead.
　Please make every effort while keeping the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake in mind and looking ahead to the future. Thank you.”