Prime Minister Naoto Kan held the fifth meeting of the Headquarters against Foot-and-Mouth Disease at the Prime Minister's Office in response to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture.

At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister said, "As you are all aware of, the situation of foot-and-month disease has become even more severe since the inauguration of the new Cabinet. Outbreaks of the disease were newly confirmed yesterday in Hyuga City, Saito City, and Miyazaki City in Miyazaki Prefecture, in farms outside the vaccination area. As this indicates the spread of the disease outside the outbreak area around Kawaminami Town, it is important to take a swift initial response by slaughtering and burying suspected animals in order to contain the outbreak at an early stage. In each of these cases, burial sites have already been secured according to the local headquarters against the disease, and I have received a report that they started the slaughtering and burial operation yesterday. I have also received a report that they installed additional disinfection points on the National Highway No. 10 and other roads for passenger vehicles, and I expect them to do their best in ensuring thorough countermeasures to stop the spread of the disease. The Kan Cabinet is determined to mobilize its full powers to tackle foot-and-mouth disease as an issue presenting a grave challenge for risk management. I also plan to visit Miyazaki Prefecture myself tomorrow. I ask all Cabinet members to continue doing their utmost to stop the spread of the disease. When visiting Miyazaki Prefecture, while extending my appreciation to the governor and other people involved for all their efforts, I would like to hear if there are any additional measures that should be taken. I would like to face the issue with a resolve to do everything that can be done."