World Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction in Tohoku ~Joint Endeavors for Solutions: Wisdom of the World to the Disaster-Affected Areas,Lessons of the Disaster-Affected Areas to the World~ Remarks by Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Reception

"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)

Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] World Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction in Tohoku ~Joint Endeavors for Solutions: Wisdom of the World to the Disaster-Affected Areas,Lessons of the Disaster-Affected Areas to the World~ Remarks by Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Reception

[Place] Sendai City

[Date] July 3rd, 2012

[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

[Notes]

[Full text]

Good evenings. Once again, I am delighted to welcome every one of you from all over the world.

This Venue, Sendai International Center served as "Disaster Multilingual Support Center" during the Great East Japan Earthquake. This was the center to assist foreign nationals who were affected by the disaster by providing assistance in English, Koreans or Chinese language. That is why I think it is extremely meaningful to hold the "World Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction in Tohoku" in this venue today and tomorrow and thereby to send positive proposals and ideas.

Tomorrow, three breakout sessions will be set up and you will have an opportunity to visit Ichinoseki City, Ishinomaki City or Fukushima City. It would be my pleasure if you discover with your own eyes how Japanese people in the disaster-stricken area are struggling for reconstruction and how Japanese people have been coping with disaster risks as well as listen to the powerful sounds of recovery which are echoing in those places.

Japan is endowed with our own variety. Each region has its unique culture and cuisine. Today's reception offers you the taste of Tohoku and I hope you enjoy it. I once again thank you for joining us.