JAPAN and the WORLD Magazine APRIL ISSUE 2016 #Issue 15 | Page 14

THANK YOU MESSAGE
AROUND MARCH 11
A MEMORIAL ADDRESS FROM
PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE
東日本大震災五周年追悼式
における内閣総理大臣式辞
WORDS: PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN AND HIS CABINET
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016
I
n the gracious presence of Their Majesties
the Emperor and Empress, it is with
the deepest respect that I, representing
the Government of Japan, express my
condolences on the occasion of the Memorial
Ceremony marking the Fifth Anniversary of the
Great East Japan Earthquake.
Already, five years have passed since the Great
East Japan Earthquake, which claimed many
precious lives and completely changed the lives
of so many people.
When I think of the despair of those who
lost beloved members of their families and
friends in the disaster, I am overwhelmed
even now with deep sorrow. It is with my
deepest sympathy that I reiterate my sincerest
condolences. I would also like to extend my
heartfelt sympathies to all those who have been
affected by the disaster.
And yet, step by step,
the reconstruction is
making steady progress.
Many people are still leading uncomfortable
lives in the affected areas. There are many who
cannot return to their beloved homes because
of the accident at the nuclear power plant.
Every time I visit the affected areas, I fully sense
that “the disaster is continuing.” And yet, step
by step, the reconstruction is making steady
progress. Revitalization of the livelihoods of
the residents is gathering speed and becoming
full-fledged alongside the construction of new
housing.
We will ceaselessly review
disaster-prevention
measures by constantly
integrating the latest
wisdom and knowledge.
By being aware of the circumstances of each
13 // APRIL 2016
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in front of an altar for
the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami at the national memorial service in Tokyo
on March 11, 2016.
and every one of the affected individuals, we
commit ourselves to such tasks as providing
care for their minds and bodies, forming
new local communities and supporting
industrial development of the affected areas,
so that reconstruction leads to the attractive
revitalization of the region.
our international contributions in the field
of disaster prevention, so that our nation’s
knowledge and technologies will become
instrumental in future disasters.
Consequently, with the determination to never
allow the valuable lessons learned from the
disaster to erode, we will ceaselessly review
disaster-prevention measures by constantly
integrating the latest wisdom and knowledge.
Once again, I would like to make a firm pledge
here that the government will exert its unified
efforts to build a strong and resilient nation
that is resistant to disasters.
We have reached today supported by the
tremendous efforts of local people and
numerous related parties. Warm support
and assistance have poured in from every
corner of Japan, and also from countries and
regions around the world, many of whose
representatives are present here today. I
would like, once again, to express our sincere
gratitude as well as our respect.
Our nation will continue to convey to the world
the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake
and the state of the reconstruction of the
affected areas, while also further strengthening
A monk is praying with people whose family
members are still missing after the earthquake.
JAPAN AND THE WORLD MAGAZINE