Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held the Ministerial Meeting on Countermeasures against Novel Influenza at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the revision of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Action Plan.

At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister said, "I believe that we must also be fully prepared for another outbreak of novel influenza. I take it as being a truly major challenge in terms of crisis management.
Two-and-half years ago, when we witnessed the outbreak of novel influenza, we were able to keep the damage to the minimum, such that the number of deaths was smaller compared to other countries, thanks to the efforts of everyone involved at that time. Nevertheless, there must be various lessons to be learned from this case as well as points for improvements. Based on these reflections, I have convened this ministerial meeting.
We should not let the Action Plan end up being just a piece of paper. Keeping in mind that disaster can happen any time, I ask you again to thoroughly consider the revision of the Action Plan today, and be ready for action by building a solid structure."