News Release on April 11th (Prime Minister's Statement)

NEWS RELEASE                                                   Consulate General of Japan

Contact:    Deputy Consul General, Mrs. Midori Takeuchi

 Phone:   office: (313) 567-0120   cell: (313) 477-5279   

 E-mail:   jiseki@cgjdetroit.org

                 

                  Special Assistant, Mr. Tomohiro Iwabuchi                                        

                      Phone:   office: (313) 567-0120   cell: (313) 477-6171   

                      E-mail:   koubun@cgjdetroit.org

Message from Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan

Released one month after Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11th

Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, Consul General of Japan in Detroit, would like to express sincere gratitude to the people of Michigan and Ohio who have shown sympathy and offered support for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Mr. Matsuda would also like to convey his heartfelt thanks to the American troops who have served in the relief efforts in the affected areas of Japan.

One month has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, has released the following official statement of gratitude: (please see next page)

Kizuna
- The Bonds of Friendship -

April 11, 2011

One month has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused over 13,000 people to lose their lives in the enormous earthquake and tsunamis that struck. Even now, over 14,000 people remain unaccounted for, and about 150,000 people remain forced to take shelter as evacuees. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to all the people who have suffered as a result of this disaster, both Japanese nationals and non-Japanese, and to their families.

We are currently mobilizing all resources to bring the situation at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station under stable control and working to stabilize the situation there at the earliest possible time.

This one month since the great earthquake has been an extremely arduous time for Japan. Yet at the same time, it has been a period during which Japan has once again realized, and once again given thanks, that we stand together with the world.

Thus far, over 130 nations and regions, nearly 40 international organizations, a number of nongovernmental organizations and people from all around the globe have extended their best wishes to us, and moreover they have expressed their support and solidarity through donations and other means. Various countries and regions rushed in rescue workers to swiftly conduct rescue operations in the affected areas swiftly and delivered supplies such as food, medical supplies, and blankets. This assistance also brought wholehearted encouragement to the disaster victims. In addition, we have received thousands of origami paper cranes intently folded by children in distant nations wishing for the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas.

On behalf of the people of Japan, I extend my heartfelt thanks for such assistance from all around the world.

There is no doubt that Japan will recover, become vibrant again, and become an even more marvelous country. In living up to the cordial encouragement and solidarity extended to us by the international community, I consider walking down the road to such a rebirth to be incumbent upon us, and the best way for Japan to reciprocate your kind concern. It is my firm conviction that through the fundamental strengths inherent to the Japanese people and the cordial cooperation of the international community, we can achieve this without fail.

I am also determined that Japan will certainly repay, through our contributions to the international community, the cordial assistance we have received from around the world.

To that end, I will work to the best of my ability to realize reconstruction of Japan.

Naoto Kan
Prime Minister of Japan

A friend in need is a friend indeed