Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 12th meeting of the Reconstruction Promotion Committee at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on the mid-term report and the path ahead.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"Since the first meeting in March, the Committee has met five times in the short period of two months. In addition, I believe active discussions have further taken place at the theme-specific forums, as well as in the field studies, and the Committee has just compiled the mid-term report. I would like to thank the Committee.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Committee for preparing an invaluable, very thought-provoking report for creating a 'new Tohoku' by resolving such issues as population decline, aging population, and the hollowing-out of industries.
My Cabinet is now making every effort to speed up the pace of reconstruction. In doing this, I believe it is critical to have a clear picture of the future of Tohoku we should be aiming for.
During my visits to the disaster area, I met and was tremendously moved by the many people who were working hard and making arduous efforts towards reconstruction.
In order to enable the people in the disaster area to have hopes and dreams for the future and take determined steps towards reconstruction, the Government will fully support the leading examples emerging in the disaster area to achieve the vision for Tohoku's future that was presented in the mid-term report.
I would like to ask Minister for Reconstruction Nemoto to speed up the regional initiatives aimed at a 'new Tohoku,' for example, by creating new 'model projects,' as well as implement in Tohoku the 'R&D' and other measures which the ministries are now preparing in accordance with the growth strategy and other frameworks. 
Moving forward, I would like to ask for the continued help of the Committee members in pursuing the discussions, aimed at speeding up reconstruction and creating a 'new Tohoku.' But at the same time, I believe we, on the political and administrative spectrums, have a very important mission.
It is our responsibility to thoroughly execute the recommendations received, and I am intent on making sure that this responsibility is fulfilled. I look forward to continuing to work with every one of you."