• 
• 
• 

 
On October 5, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 21st meeting of the Reconstruction Promotion Council at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, a discussion was held on initiatives for the acceleration of reconstruction.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake is a top priority of the Cabinet. As almost seven years and seven months have passed since the disaster, we are entering a critical stage to pave the firm way towards the full-scale reconstruction of Fukushima, the wrap-up of our reconstruction efforts.
 
We are making steady progress towards this wrap-up of reconstruction. The development of public housing and land for building housing will be nearly completed by the end of this fiscal year. In Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures, we will make every effort to bring an end to the time spent living in temporary housing for those affected by the disaster, by completing their move to new housing during the reconstruction and revitalization period. Furthermore, community building efforts by respective municipalities, including the opening of commercial facilities, is revitalizing each district. Last year, the number of overnight visitors from overseas to Tohoku approximately doubled since the pre-disaster level. This year, the number continues to increase at a rate far outpacing that of Japan.
 
Moreover, Fukushima, which sustained severe damages from the nuclear accident, has also reached a new stage towards full-scale reconstruction. In areas where evacuation orders were lifted, the living environment has been improved, including the resumption of elementary and junior high schools. In the ‘difficult to return zones,’ the development of ‘specified reconstruction and recovery zones’ in six municipalities has been started and we have moved a step closer to the lifting of evacuation orders. With respect to the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework, it has been steadily implemented towards materialization, including opening a part of the Fukushima Robot Test Field in July.
 
At the same time, as time passes since the disaster, the situations faced by those individuals and areas affected by the disaster are becoming diverse, requiring more customized responses. We will provide seamless supports to those affected, depending on their stage of rebuilding their lives. We will also respond carefully to every issue on the ground, including reviving industries and restoring ‘nariwai’ (occupations and livelihoods that sustain people’s daily lives) as well as achieving reconstruction and revitalization from the nuclear accident disaster, including dispelling harmful rumors or misinformation.
 
There will be no revitalization of Japan without the reconstruction of Tohoku. We will listen to the voices of those affected and ensure that their voices are reflected in the reconstruction process. Minister Watanabe visited Fukushima two days ago, not sparing any time since his appointment as the Minister. He will also visit Iwate and Miyagi later today. The hands-on approach is the starting point of the Abe Cabinet. I instruct all members of the new Cabinet to continue to share the mindset that they all serve as Ministers for Reconstruction and exert every effort for the reconstruction of the affected areas at the earliest possible time, while paying attention to the feelings of those who are affected.”