Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� September, 2004

Prime Minister Honors Contributors to Disaster Prevention Friday, September 3, 2004 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi hosted a ceremony to commend groups and individuals who have significantly contributed to disaster prevention, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. This ceremony is held to acknowledge and praise the people who have performed outstanding roles for disaster-prevention activities at times of disaster such as lifesaving or preventing further expansion of the disaster. This year's ceremony recognized ten groups and individuals who have made a contribution in such areas as the development of a disaster prevention system, including dissemination of volcanic hazard maps, the technological field pertaining to nuclear disaster prevention, disaster safety activities for disasters caused by Typhoon No. 10 and the offshore Tokachi earthquake in 2003, disaster safety activities for disasters caused by the earthquake in May 2003 whose epicenter was off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, disaster safety activities and rescue activities for the victims in the disaster caused by heavy rains in July 2003, and activities by volunteers to disseminate the information on disaster prevention. In his address, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "It is said that disaster comes when least expected, but this year, given the frequent occurrence of concentrated heavy rains, typhoons and the eruption of Mt. Asama, there is no time for us to forget about disasters. In disaster prevention activities, it is important for experts, government-affiliated organizations, citizens and volunteers to jointly engage in disaster prevention as a whole. I ask for everyone to fully understand this point and continue making further efforts."