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On March 9, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Iwate Prefecture.
 
In Kamaishi Town, Prime Minister Abe attended the formal opening of the Sanriku Coast Road and the Tohoku Throughway. Then, the Prime Minister inspected the operation training of a train car at Kamaishi Station. In the afternoon, the Prime Minister visited Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium, where he saw children practicing rugby. Afterwards, the Prime Minister visited a commercial facility in Ofunato City, followed by his visit to a restaurant in Rikuzentakata City, where he interacted with members of the local community.
 
After the visit, the Prime Minister said, 
 
“Today I visited Kamaishi, Ofunato, and Rikuzentakata. Eight years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck these cities. The people of the disaster-affected areas have faced many difficulties over these eight years. Against this backdrop, vigorous efforts made by everyone here have resulted in the opening of roads and railways as well as a commercial facility. It is thanks to the hard work of these people that have steadily advanced the reconstruction of these areas. I had an opportunity to witness it with my own eyes today.  
 
It is half a year until the Rugby World Cup kick off which will bring people from all over the world to Kamaishi. I have high hopes that a series of exciting games at the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium would give hope to children and bolster efforts for reconstruction and development.
 
Here at the Riku Café, I heard from people working on the health and mental support of those affected by the disaster. We all must thoroughly work on all the various tasks we are engaged in, such as maintaining the psychological well-being of the residents. Moving forward, we intend to establish a succeeding body under the responsibility and leadership of politicians so that the government continues to work as one and to exert all-out efforts to complete reconstruction at the earliest possible date.
 
We will continue to thoroughly focus on local communities, listen to the voices of those affected by the disaster and incorporate them to the reconstruction process. Thank you very much.”