Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� September, 2002

Prime Minister Honors Contributors to Disaster Prevention Monday, September 9, 2002 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi hosted a ceremony at the Prime Minister's Official Residence to commend groups and citizens who have significantly contributed to disaster prevention. This ceremony is held to acknowledge and praise the outstanding achievements of those who have distinguished themselves at times of disaster through such deeds as saving lives or preventing further expansion of the disaster. This year's ceremony recognized twenty-one groups and individuals. Hospital director Kazuhiko Maekawa was honored for his role in treating patients exposed to radiation in the criticality accident at Tokaimura, Ibaraki Prefecture in 1999, and for cooperating in the revisions to the "Guidelines for Disaster Prevention Measures in Nuclear Facilities" of April this year. Others include a local fire brigade in Date City, Hokkaido, which promptly led the evacuation of local residents during the eruption of Mount Usu. Prime Minister Koizumi stated, "With a vies to keeping damage from disasters to a minimum, the government and the private sector will continue to work together. I expect your continuous involvement in disaster prevention activities."