Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) High Level Luncheon "Building Climate and Disaster Resilience for African Development" co-organized by the World Bank and UNDP in Yokohama.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I would like to express my appreciation to the World Bank and UNDP for their leadership, thanks to which a session on the very important theme of disaster resilience is being convened today with the participation of many people, including African leaders.
Japan has a long history and experience fighting against natural disasters. Natural disasters - earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons - cannot be avoided. Nevertheless, we must strive to minimize the resulting damages. This is a new pledge made by Japan after experiencing the unprecedented disaster in March two years ago. I would like to once again express my appreciation to the African people and the rest of the international community for expressing strong solidarity and warm support in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The areas hit by the disaster are now working wholeheartedly towards reconstruction.
Recently, I invited junior high school students from one of the disaster-affected prefectures, Fukushima Prefecture, to the Prime Minister's Office. On that occasion, I expressed my resolve that it is the job of politics to create an environment that will allow the junior high school students to move even a small step closer to their respective dreams. 
Africa is a continent of hope, full of dreams. It would be more than I could hope to dream to see TICAD V help the children, women, and young people of Africa spread their wings and soar toward an even better future. That is precisely why I would like to emphasize from my heart the importance of disaster management, the preparation against the natural disasters that could rob people of their dreams. In Africa, droughts and floods pose major threats in particular. Moreover, it is said that the size and scale of these disasters are increasing in severity due to climate change. Japan has been serious about tackling climate change for many years. One of the first instructions I gave after taking office as Prime Minister was 'to formulate a proactive diplomatic strategy to address global warming by which Japan contributes to the international community with its technology.' Japan intends to contribute as much as possible to the powerful and sustainable growth of Africa. 
I would like everyone here to leave this session with the recognition etched in their minds that disaster management is an urgent issue directly linked to human security. Last year, Japan and the World Bank convened the Sendai Dialogue on Disaster Risk Management in a Changing World on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Tokyo. The message from the Sendai Dialogue that disaster risk management (DRM) should be mainstreamed in support of the many aspects of development also strongly resonates with TICAD V. I welcome the decision made in light of the outcomes of the Sendai Dialogue to establish a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Hub in Tokyo, with the purpose of using Japan's experience and talents for the World Bank projects.
In various ways, Japan will contribute to the building of disaster-resilient societies throughout the world. My administration is taking various initiatives in the area of disaster management, including the improvement of borrowing terms for ODA loans and the creation of a post-disaster recovery stand-by ODA loan program. 
Additionally, the United Nations' Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will be held in Sendai in March 2015. I am resolved to lead the efforts to ensure that the international community tackles disaster management more effectively.  
I am convinced that sincere engagement in climate change measures and disaster risk management to safeguard peoples' lives and development outcomes is an indispensable element of our vision towards realizing an even more dynamic Africa. I look forward to very fruitful discussions during this meeting."