Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� September, 2003

Prime Minister Honors Contributors to Disaster Prevention September 2, 2003 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 people who have outstanding performances for the disaster-prevention activities at times of disaster such as lifesaving or preventing further expansion of the disaster. This year's ceremony recognized twelve groups and individuals who have made a contribution in such areas as the technological field concerning nuclear disaster prevention, flood prevention and rescue activities in the disaster caused by heavy rain during Typhoon No. 6 in 2002, marine salvage on the coast of Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture in August 2002 and development of a disaster prevention system in the region. Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Yesterday marks 80 years since the Great Kanto Earthquake, and I attended the disaster prevention drill held in Saitama Prefecture. All of you are very active in nation-building toward a more disaster-resistant Japan despite the difference in fields and I would like to express my gratitude for this. I would like to ask you for your fullest efforts to continue to help the people in increasing their awareness on disaster prevention."