Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe that you had a meeting with a mission team sent by an American think tank during lunch. What did you discuss during this meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I of course first expressed Japan's gratitude for the support offered by the United States both from the public and private sectors following the Great East Japan Earthquake, including via Operation Tomodachi. I also stated that Japan hopes to have the cooperation of the United States for the reconstruction process, and we had constructive discussion on a number of points related to this. They asked me what would be the best way to approach such cooperation, and I explained to them what I understand about the current situation to the best of my ability.

REPORTER: I believe that they asked you what kind of assistance was needed. How concrete were you in your response? Did you talk about assistance on the private level or otherwise? What did you say regarding what kind of cooperation is needed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We did not talk about what kind of assistance is needed but about what approach would be effective at producing results by various forms of cooperation and assistance. Although for only a short period of time, I have visited Sendai. So I explained the conditions there and in the disaster-affected areas of Tohoku right now. I stated that I thought it would be beneficial for both of our sides if Japan could receive effective assistance that responds to those conditions.