[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Fukushima Innovation Coast Scheme at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, there was discussion on the initiatives for the Fukushima Innovation Coast Scheme thus far, the direction for initiatives moving forward, and the future direction for the Scheme.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“It has been over six years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear power accident. With the exception of difficult-to-return-zones, almost all evacuation orders have been lifted in Fukushima, and reconstruction is at last fully underway.

There can be no revitalization of Tohoku without the reconstruction of Fukushima. There can be no revitalization of Japan without the reconstruction of Tohoku. We will listen to the voices of those affected by the disaster and incorporate their opinions into reconstruction. The starting point for the Abe administration is a focus on the frontlines.

The local people have great expectations for the Fukushima Innovation Coast Scheme. This will truly be a trump card for the reconstruction of Fukushima. We recently positioned this Scheme within the Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of Fukushima. In the Hamadori area, we will advance efforts to construct a research and development center focusing on robots and other forms of advanced technology, to build up industry, and to foster human resources. Today, we approved the basic policy for these efforts.

All cabinet members are Ministers for Reconstruction. We must all reaffirm this mindset and overcome vertical segmentation so that the Government can work as one to implement our initiatives. We will do everything in our power to realize the Fukushima Innovation Coast Scheme and meet the expectations of the local people. We will not be passive and will actively promote these initiatives.”