Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama attended the Gathering on January 17 for the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which was held by the Prefectural Council to Promote Hyogo Safety Day, comprised of representatives of the administration, the local assembly, and the people of Hyogo Prefecture, at the Hyogo Prefectural Public Hall in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, on this day marking the 15th year since the occurrence of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

At the ceremony, after the delivery of an opening address, the participants offered silent prayer as the clock struck noon. Prime Minister Hatoyama delivered a memorial address. He said, "I am utterly aggrieved at the helplessness of those who lost their lives to this earthquake disaster and the grief of the members of the bereaved families who lost those most beloved to them. I am overwhelmed by the feeling of condolence for the victims of the disaster. I take this opportunity to once again express my feeling of sincere remorse, and offer my deepest sympathy for all the people affected by the earthquake. Politics assumes the great role of fully preparing for natural disasters, including large-scale earthquake disasters and protecting the people's lives. I firmly pledge that the government will continue to do its utmost in promoting comprehensive disaster prevention measures and ensuring that the people can live with peace of mind." Following the Prime Minister's address, representatives from each circle of society offered flowers.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Hatoyama visited the Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation laboratory of the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation, and the Center for Developmental Biology of RIKEN, both located in Kobe City.