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On March 10, 2020, the Prime Minister jointly held the 25th meeting of the Reconstruction Promotion Council and the 51st meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, there was discussion on the current situation and issues in the nine years of reconstruction, and progress on Fukushima’s reconstruction from the nuclear disaster.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Nine years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and we are entering the year to wrap up our ten years of reconstruction efforts.
 
Reconstruction is steadily progressing with the efforts that have been made so far. At the same time, issues still remain for the full-scale reconstruction and revitalization of Fukushima, including psychological care for those affected by the disaster, and the decommissioning works and contaminated water treatment.
 
In order to achieve reconstruction under political responsibility and leadership, we have decided to extend the mandate of the Reconstruction Agency for another 10 years and submitted the relevant bills to the Diet. We will be fully prepared towards passing these bills.
 
In addition, we will be presenting a new budgetary framework for reconstruction around this summer. By securing financial resources to pledge and implement reconstruction projects deemed necessary over the next five years, we will enable the disaster-affected areas to engage in reconstruction efforts with peace of mind.
 
There will be no reconstruction of Tohoku without the reconstruction of Fukushima, and there will be no revitalization of Japan without the reconstruction of Tohoku. We will listen to the voices of those affected by the disaster and incorporate them into the reconstruction process.
 
Last week, I visited Fukushima Prefecture in person. Our focus on local communities is the starting point of the Abe Cabinet. This year marks an important milestone. I ask all members of the Cabinet to renew the mindset that they are all a Minister for Reconstruction, and to exert every effort to achieve full-scale reconstruction at the earliest possible date.”