|
March 3, 2012
[Provisional
Translation]
Opening Statement by Prime Minister Noda
1. Introduction
●
In a few days
time we will reach the one-year anniversary of the Great East Japan
Earthquake. This disaster claimed the lives of almost 20,000 people,
among whom were a number of foreign nationals. I would like to reiterate
my prayers for the repose of the victims of the disaster and offer my
condolences to their bereaved families.
●
Since the
disaster struck, Japan has received warm and generous offers of
assistance from more than 160 countries and regions and over 40
international organizations. On behalf of the people of Japan I would
like to express once again my appreciation for this assistance.
●
In my opening
statement, I would like to touch upon the current status and future
challenges for Japan as we push forward with reconstruction efforts from
the Great East Japan Earthquake.
2. Reconstruction of Disaster-affected Regions
●
The
infrastructure and economy of the disaster-affected regions are steadily
recovering. The supply chain for the manufacturing sector has been
completely restored. Production levels in the mining and manufacturing
sector have now recovered to the levels prior to the disaster.
●
More than 80
percent of disaster-affected local governments have completed the
formulation of a “Reconstruction Plan,” which include ambitious targets
to become “global models” for the introduction of renewable energies and
development of hubs for advanced medicine. Through the realization of
these plans, it is our aim to generate reconstruction-led demand in a
tangible way.
●
The ruling
and opposition parties have made united efforts to draw up specific
measures and have advanced these through to implementation. At the end
of last year, the Government launched a system of Special Zones for
Reconstruction, which provides special measures such as tax reductions
and exemptions over a period of five years for companies newly
establishing businesses in these zones. The bill that provides for
temporary taxation increases to secure funding for reconstruction was
also passed by the Diet. The Government has established the
Reconstruction Agency as a new administrative body, and we are making
concerted efforts to provide maximum support for measures in the
disaster-affected regions.
3. Food Safety and Health Management
●
At the end of
last year I announced the achievement of a state of cold shutdown of the
nuclear reactors, but the fight against the nuclear accident will
continue until the reactors are decommissioned. We will continue to give
first priority to food safety and the health management of residents in
the vicinity of the power station.
●
We have
further strengthened the system of monitoring and testing of food
products, which has been in place since directly after the disaster.
From April this year it is planned that new standards will be introduced
concerning regulation values of radioactive materials in food products,
which are stricter than previously.
●
State funds
in excess of 1 trillion yen will be devoted to decontamination of living
spaces in the areas around the nuclear power station. By April at the
earliest we expect to be able to revise some of the designations of
areas that are currently subject to entry restrictions and will continue
to work to ensure that residents can return to their homes in the near
term.
●
It is the
case that with the exception of a number of regulated areas, nearly all
regions have returned to daily live as it was prior to the disaster. We
hope that people will come to Japan for work, tourism and study with
peace of mind. We would also greatly welcome investment from countries
overseas, as partners in the reconstruction of the disaster-affected
region.
●
A natural
prerequisite for all of these is therefore the provision of accurate and
timely information to all countries. I would like to continue to request
that import restrictions and travel advisories that remain in place in
some countries are revised and relaxed, in view of the latest situation
which is based on scientific evidence.
4. Contribution to the International Community
●
To repay the
kindness and assistance shown to Japan by the international community at
the time of the disaster, I would like to assure you that Japan will not
become inward looking and that we will continue to make an active
international contribution to human security and sustainable global
economic growth, utilizing such means as the dispatch of peacekeeping
operations (PKO) and provision of Official Development Assistance (ODA).
●
Above all,
one of Japan’s most important responsibilities is to share the knowledge
and lessons gained from the disaster with the international community,
and leave this body of knowledge to posterity. We seek to contribute to
the international community, actively providing information in such
areas as enhancement of nuclear safety and disaster prevention measures.
That concludes my opening statement.
|
|
