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On April 10, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press occasion at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
Regarding the resignation of Minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Yoshitaka Sakurada, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Earlier, Minister Sakurada offered his resignation as he has made remarks that hurt the feelings of the people in the disaster-affected areas and I accepted his resignation.
 
It is the unwavering position of the Abe administration to exert all-out efforts on reconstruction, while staying fully aware of the feelings of those who are affected by the disaster. As Prime Minister, I wish to express my deepest apologies for Minister Sakurada’s remarks.
 
The responsibility to have appointed Minister Sakurada completely lies with me as the Prime Minister. I wish to apologize to the people of Japan for letting such a situation happen.
 
With respect to his successor, I intend to make a decision swiftly so as not to cause any delays to the work of the Government. I intend that all the ministers will renew their recognition that they all must serve as a Minister for Reconstruction and continue to exert every effort for the reconstruction of Tohoku.”