(On the visit to the traffic accident scene in Yachimata City, Chiba Prefecture)
 
Today I visited the scene of the truck accident in Yachimata City. I expressed my deep condolences for the children who lost their lives on the site and offered my prayer for a very early recovery of the injured children. I once again extend my heartfelt sympathies to their families.
 
I was informed by the Chiba Prefectural Police of the situation of the accident scene and other matters. During the briefing, seeing a tilted power pole made me realize how harrowing the accident was. It is so heartbreaking and tragic that children with a future ahead of them lost their lives or sustained injuries as in this accident. And when I think about their families, I am lost for words. I held yesterday a ministerial meeting on traffic measures and instructed comprehensive inspections of roads in school zones so that the tragedy like this would never happen again.
 
During today’s visit, I received a request from Mr. Kitamura, Mayor of Yachimata City, to construct sidewalks. I asked him to swiftly push ahead with construction, as the Government is ready to fully cooperate in building the sidewalks.