Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, I would like to report on the Prime Minister's visit to the affected areas. In order to assess the damage created by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Typhoon No.12, and to hear the views of local governments and related individuals, the Prime Minister is scheduled to pay separate one-day visits to Fukushima Prefecture on September 8 (Thursday); Wakayama, Nara, and Mie Prefectures on September 9 (Friday); and Iwate Prefecture on September 10 (Saturday).

Q&As

REPORTER: Regarding the Prime Minister's domestic visits, will you please again explain the aim of these visits?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Prime Minister would first like to visit Fukushima Prefecture, as he also mentioned during the presidential election of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), of course in order to observe the damage caused by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power station accident. Concerning Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, and in particular areas close to the coast such as Sanriku - I hear that work in those areas to dispose of the rubble is still in the initial stages - he wants to visit these areas as soon as possible. As for Wakayama, Nara, and Mie Prefectures, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Maeda and Minister for Reconstruction in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake Hirano, are visiting these prefectures today in order to observe the damage of Typhoon No.12, and are providing the Prime Minister with reports on their progress. However, I think that the Prime Minister would like to personally visit the areas in order to hear the views of local residents.

(Abridged)