Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the meeting of the Reconstruction Promotion Committee at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the issues to be discussed in the Reconstruction Promotion Committee from now on.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"On March 11, we passed the second year since the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Even after two years, the disaster-stricken areas are still facing harsh reality, such as 'anxiety over an unknown future.'
We announced the other day the roadmap including specific goals for the rebuilding of residences and the reconstruction of communities, and measures to realize and accelerate such roadmap. We have decided that the government will unite its efforts in accelerating the reconstruction, by focusing on the actual site and putting plans into practice.
On the other hand, in order for the people in the disaster-stricken areas to have dreams for the future and take strong steps towards reconstruction, we must generate a light of hope and make them strong and secure. The true reconstruction is to build Tohoku as a 'region of new creativity and potential' in which young people are able to have hearts full of hope.
This Committee will be welcoming the new members here. Through specific efforts and the revitalization of economy in the region, together with the acceleration of reconstruction, the Committee will research and discuss issues towards the creation of a 'new Tohoku,' which will be the model for the future society.
Today, we will be holding the first meeting with the new members. I expect frank opinions from Dr. Motoshige Ito, chairman of the Committee, and other members."