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Speech by Ambassador Sano

at the Reception on 12 th March 2012 to Commemorate the One Year Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

 

 

Introduction

Your Royal Highness,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Friends and Colleagues,

(1) At 2:46 pm on March 11 th last year, a massive earthquake struck Japan, followed by a devastating tsunami and nuclear accident which shocked people around the world.

(2) Today, I am hosting a special ceremony to remember the more than 19,000 people who lost their lives or are still missing, and to express our feelings of solidarity to the survivors who are struggling to rebuild their lives even now.

The sorrow and anguish of the victims of this catastrophe will always be with us, and there is no way of expressing the true extent of the physical and mental devastation. We can, however, find some encouragement in the fact that the quiet courage and resilience of my compatriots shone through the terrible calamity.

 

Assistance

(1) There are many things which we cannot and should not forget about the disaster. We cannot forget the generous help we have received from all over the world, and we should not forget that a disaster of this magnitude can happen again and, for the sake of future generations, we must be well prepared for that possibility.

(2) After the disaster, Denmark stood alongside us and did not hesitate to offer support to Japan:

•  heart-warming words from Her Majesty Queen Margrethe and visits to Japan by Royal Family members,

•  the dispatch of an emergency team of nuclear experts,

•  significant contributions from many companies,

•  a special church service,

•  charity concerts,

•  the invitation from Fredensborg Kommune to children from the affected area,

•  another invitation to victims with disabilities to study at Egmont Højskole for a half year,

•  citizens who donated to street collections and many more.

 

(3) In particular, I'd like to mention the courageous visit in June last year by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik to one of the devastated cities. He talked to survivors who were standing in front of their temporary housing and joined in a game of football with schoolchildren to comfort them. In an interview with Japanese TV, he said, “I want to show the world that Japan is safe.” This sent a very encouraging message to a Japan in trouble.

 

(4) Today, I am delighted to see some of my fellow Japanese and foreign diplomats staying in Denmark, who have worked so vigorously to help Japan. They were all wondering what they should and could do, and began by doing anything they could. All through last year, they organized a variety of charity events in Denmark which raised money to assist Japan.

 

(5) On behalf of the Japanese government, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my special thanks to all those who have helped Japan.

 

Reconstruction

(1) Meanwhile, the process of recovery is taking place step by step but it still takes time. The government launched a five-year reconstruction programme, amounting to about 1500 billion DKK, and the necessary funding is secured. Although the global supply chain for automobiles, semiconductors and other industries in the Tohoku area was almost back to normal at the end of last year, the recovery of small fishing and agricultural industries is very slow partly because of the extraordinary amount of rubble and debris existing even now, both on land and under the sea.

 

(2) The government has announced that the recovery process should be open to any foreign companies that wish to participate. Through the creation of “special reconstruction zones” and other initiatives under the concept of “open reconstruction,” these regions are expected to attract new investment from Japan and abroad. The creation of a number of “Future Cities” supported by hi-tech and renewable energy projects in the disaster-hit regions is one such example.

 

(3) Regarding the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Government declared last December that all the reactors at the plant were in a state of “cold shutdown” and under control. The radiation level has fallen dramatically. We will make every effort to decontaminate affected areas, ensure health management, food safety and decommission the reactors according to our road map. We will take on the responsibility of sharing with the international community the experiences and lessons learned from the accident, and contribute to international nuclear safety.

(4) In short, the Japanese economy is fast getting back on track. According to the major international institutes, the Japanese economy will grow in 2012 by a little less than 2%. But at municipality level, there remain numerous problems or obstacles to overcome for their speedy reconstruction.

 

Your Royal Highness,

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

In recent history, Japan seized rapid economic expansion from the ashes and desolation of World War Ⅱ , and, after the oil crisis, it built the most energy-efficient economy in the world. On the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we are reminded that we are now faced with a challenge of similar proportions. Our goal is not simply to reconstruct the Japan that existed before March 11 last year, but to build a new robust Japan, which will open its doors wide to the international community. This is an historic challenge, but we are determined to go forward.

 

Thank you very much.