TOP > What's up around the Prime Minister > April, 2007

Prime Minister Visits the Disaster Site of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture Friday, April 13, 2007 JAPANESE Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture, which incurred damage in the 2007 Noto Peninsula Earthquake that struck the region on March 25. He observed the extent of the damage and offered encouragement to the many victims who are still evacuated. After receiving an overall explanation of the damage from Mr. Masanori Tanimoto, the Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture and Mr. Fumiaki Kaji, the Mayor of Wajima City, at the Wajima City Office, Prime Minister Abe moved to Monzen-machi Town, an area of Wajima City that incurred major damage from the earthquake, to observe the extent of the damage to shops that sell Wajima-nuri (lacquered) ware, breweries, shopping districts, temples and other historical structures. Afterwards, he spoke with and offered encouragement to people living in evacuation centers such as civic halls. In an interview following the visit, Prime Minister Abe said, "Seeing it with my own eyes, I realized again how severe the damage is. I will see to it that the government continues to put its all power into supporting the wish of those affected to rebuild their workplaces and the foundations of their daily lives. The Cabinet will make a decision during next week to designate this earthquake a serious disaster."