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Yukio Edano: I would like to take this opportunity to express once again my
respect for the efforts by the Risk Officers in both the public and private
sectors who are participating in this first Global Risk Meeting.
Japan as you know was struck by an unprecedented disaster on March 11th.
Never has there been such a need for a group of experts in the area of risk that
transcend national boundaries and stretch across the lines separating the public
and private sectors. On behalf of the government of Japan I
would like to extend my regards to the World Economic Forum which conceived this
meeting and its founder, Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
The great east Japan earthquake, a magnitude 9 quake, is the greatest
disaster Japan has faced since the end of World War II -- having at the same time
tsunamis and the nuclear power accident.
At present, more than 27,000 people have lost their lives or are unaccounted for
and more than 165,000 remain evacuated. Over 130 countries, more than 30
international organizations, as well as over 1500 NGOs and other entities have
expressed their willingness to provide assistance with nearly 70 billion yen in
donations being collected in total from these groups and donors within Japan.
Feeling a circle of solidarity extending to the international community,
Japan sincerely appreciates the cordial assistance from all around the world.
We regret that Japan has experienced the most serious nuclear accident at Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
Bringing the situation at the nuclear power plant under stable control at the
earliest possible date is our immediate focus.
In order to combat the danger posed by the plant, we are tackling problems through
the advice and cooperation of not only our domestic resources but also various
national governments, international organizations, private corporations as
well as experts.
While the greatest possible efforts to stabilize Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Plant Station remains ongoing, including the injection of fresh water and work to
restore electricity at its turbine buildings and elsewhere, water containing
high levels of radioactive material has been detected, with outflows into the
ocean having been confirmed among other issues.
Although the outflow of water containing high levels of radioactive material into
the ocean was successfully stopped on the morning… we cannot prejudge the situation.
We will continue to dedicate our utmost efforts to preventing the diffusion of
radioactive materials.
In so doing, the government of Japan will place the highest priority on the health
and safety of local residents and the people, plan for all possible scenarios,
getting advice from experts, aim at minimizing risk, respond to each
situation, and finally bring the situation under stable control.
In this process we will appropriately disclose information to the people of
Japan as well as the international community including neighboring countries.
Japan intends to share with the international community the knowledge
and experience obtained through the situation in order to contribute to reinforcing the
safety of nuclear power generation.
This disaster has also significantly impacted the economy.
Capital stock has been lost at an enormous scale, centered on the Tohoku
and northern country regions.
Damages have been estimated at a scale of 16 to 25 trillion yen.
From the perspective of flow, despite negative impacts, increased production
is also expected in order to reestablish stock.
A large number of parts, components, and materials manufacturers are situated in
the Tohoku and northern country regions, with manufacturing halted temporarily as
a result of the earthquake disaster. The effects on supply chains both
domestically and overseas have ripple effects, with repercussions felt in
a portion of the manufacturing trade activities of Europe, the United States,
and Asia. However, the industrial production of the
regions impacted by the tsunamis is approximately 2% of the national figure
and manufacturing hubs in western and central Japan are undamaged.
Moreover, manufacturing activities in impacted regions are certainly moving
towards resumption. Japan has a responsibility to provide
parts, materials, and industrial products to the world.
In order to minimize impact on supply chain, both domestically and overseas,
we are assessing careful detail of the magnitude of the impact, potential for
substitutions and other aspects, and implement as rapidly as possible various
forms of assistance measures including those of restoring infrastructure,
supplying electricity, and financial sector related efforts.
In light of such circumstances, it will also be critical to address reputational
damage. Japan will exercise adequate care in
ensuring the safety of local residents and moreover, continue to work to provide the
information that is prompt and accurate to the international community with the
greatest possible transparency. Some countries and regions are conducting
radiation laser testing and taking other measure to strengthen regulations.
With regard to food safety, for example, Japan has been taking steps to ensure
distribution of safe food by establishing provisional standard for food
and beverages and specifying consumption and shipment regulations among other measures.
Industrial products are also subject to stringent quality control.
At the current time, the amount of radiation on Japan's industrial products
is not at a level that causes impact upon health of people.
The safety of seaports and airports that serve as hubs for international
distribution is also recognized internationally.
In order to communicate the current state of affairs in an accurate manner,
briefings are being conducted for foreign diplomatic missions in Japan, the foreign
press corps, the business people, and we are providing accurate information on the
level of radioactivity in various locations.
We will continue to work to provide information that is prompt and accurate so
as to avoid reputational damage and ensure the smooth implementation of Japan's
economic activities.
We ask that those who are involved in such matters undertake levelheaded
responses firmly grounded in scientific facts.
The current natural disaster is truly a crisis for Japan.
However, as its miraculous reconstruction after World War II illustrates, Japan has
been built up through the efforts of each individual citizen in the face of
adversity. In the future embracing a spirit of
building Japan once more together with the Japanese people on the long term
perspective, we will move forward towards the earliest possible recovery
and reconstruction of the disaster-impacted regions and build communities well
equipped to withstand natural disasters. For example, preparing for a tsunami - we
will situate residences on higher ground carved out of the mountain side
and commute to fishing ports and other workplaces along the coastline.
We will create eco towns that are fully equipped with district heating,
utilizing plant mass and biomass from the region, and cultivate fissures of communities that
are thoroughly fostering public welfare. We will proceed by moving forward with
the world's most advanced reconstruction plan, with a vision of going beyond the
mere restoration to the previous state and instead create a truly marvelous Tohoku
region and indeed a marvelous Japan. In aiming towards this reconstruction
plan, we wish to make abundant use of corporate wisdom and technology from not
only within Japan but also from around the world.
Japan very much welcomes and looks forward to the cooperation and the participation
of a large number of relevant parties.
We very much await your insights on these matters through your discussions with the
staff of the Prime Minister's office.
I would like to close my remarks today with my sincere wish that going forward
this Global Risk Meeting will develop as a forum for productive exchanges of views,
sharing of knowledge, and above all, concrete actions.
Thank you.