Consulate-General of Japan in New York
在ニューヨーク日本国総領事館

President Hart, Provost Englert, Vice-Provost Blank, Vice-Provost Dai, Dean Barber, Mr. Mifflin, Ms. Brooks, Honorary Consul Morikawa, distinguished Trustees, students, faculty. Thank you very much for inviting me to speak today at this teach-in session. I'm very excited to be here, as I always enjoy speaking in for students. The intellectual curiosity of your college years is something that you should try and never lose, and I'm honored to be a part of the learning process today.

Before I begin my talk, I'd like to thank President Hart for taking time out of her busy schedule to be here. I'd also like to thank Vice-Provosts Englert, Blank and Dai for their efforts in the areas of academics, graduate education and international affairs, important issues areas that together have facilitated my being here today. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Elizabeth Barber, Associate Dean of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University and Mr. Bill Mifflin, Executive Director of Philadelphia Hospitality for their efforts in putting this program together. Last but not least, I am honored to have a representative of the City of Philadelphia here today; Manager for International Trade, and Diplomatic Liaison, Ms. Carol Brooks.

Although I've been graciously given quite a bit of time to speak, I fear the topic area is one that is hard to comment on briefly or lightly: the Great East Japan Earthquake and ensuing tsunami. On the afternoon of Friday, March 11th, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck an area 45 miles east of the Pacific coast of Japan. Shortly following the massive earthquake, a huge tsunami reached the northeastern coast of Japan, hitting the prefectures of Miyagi and Iwate the hardest. The waves reached up to 100 feet high and the water traveled up to 6 miles inland. Aftershocks have been strong and plentiful, with over 60 aftershocks of magnitude 6.0 and over, and 3 aftershocks of 7.0 and over. In total, over 900 aftershocks have occurred, and are still occurring to this day, almost 2 months after the earthquake.

The effects of these twin disasters were truly devastating. Thousands were killed and injured, tens of thousands remain missing, and hundreds of thousands have been living in temporary shelters as their homes and hometowns were washed away, destroyed, or rendered uninhabitable. The monetary cost of the damage is staggering: at an estimated US$309 billion in damages, this is the costliest natural disaster in the Earth's history. Further, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station suffered multiple safety system failures that led to an emergency situation regarding overheating fuel rods and release of radioactive material.

Immediately following the earthquake, an emergency response headquarters was set up in the Prime Minister's Office. The Self-Defense Forces were deployed for search and rescue operations in the days soon after the disaster, and their role has since moved to providing humanitarian relief. In particular, the SDF was mobilized very early on to lend its assistance in dealing with the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Not only the SDF, but national police, fire and disaster management resources, as well as the Japan Coast Guard were put into action to assist in various areas. These myriad government agencies were charged with, among other duties, setting up and running shelters for those left homeless in cooperation with the International Red Cross Society.

In the midst of this crisis and the scramble to deal with its immediate aftermath, Japan was not alone. On the night of March 11th, the US Forces Japan launched Operation Tomodachi, or Operation Friend, to offer search, rescue and humanitarian support to the people of Japan. Thus far, 20 ships, 160 aircraft and 20,000 personnel have been mobilized by USFJ under the operation. USFJ have distributed 280 tons of food and transported 3,100 tons of supplies. Around midnight of March 11th, Prime Minister Naoto Kan had a phone conversation with President Obama, his first contact with a foreign leader after the earthquake, where the President extended the support of the United States to Japan.

This early and sincere offer of support is symbolic of the special relationship that Japan and the United States share. But in addition to the United States, numerous countries have offered their support to Japan to relieve the Japanese people's burden in this troubling time. This outpouring of support led Prime Minister Kan to talk about kizuna in an open letter of April 11th. Kizuna means "bonds of friendship" and perfectly describes the feelings of the Japanese people toward all those around the world who are offering their support.

The work of helping the people of the Tohoku region is not proscribed to humanitarian and disaster relief work. In New York, we at the consulate have been busy doing our best for the situation in Japan. Most directly, we have been receiving donations from various contributors to help the displaced and struggling people. We have also worked closely with outside organizations to facilitate various fundraising activities within the New York consulate's jurisdiction. Through our School Caravan program, we have been spreading not only knowledge about Japan, but also awareness about the disaster and the plight of the people of the Tohoku region to children at the elementary school level.

Another important responsibility of the consulate is in the area of information. It is our duty to make sure that accurate information is disseminated about Japan from various news outlets by liaising directly with members of the press. Most recently, we have been active in correcting perceptions perpetuated by the media on Japanese food safety. I'll give you the same simple message we have been giving the press: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, Japanese food exported to the US is safe to eat. Statements or insinuations to the contrary are groundless and not supported by the facts.

The current situation in the Tohoku region has moved from search and rescue of survivors to humanitarian relief and recovery. The latest figures show that 14,300 are confirmed dead, 5,300 were injured, 11,900 remain missing and 171,000 are still living in temporary shelters (as of April 27, 2011). Many areas of the Tohoku region remain without electricity, gas or running water and there is large-scale infrastructure damage making road and rail travel difficult.

While a huge humanitarian challenge remains, we must look forward to recovery as our next goal as a nation. Prime Minister Kan, in op-ed pieces for the International Herald Tribune and the Washington Post, has laid out three principles for the recovery of the Tohoku region. First, regional societies that are highly resistant to natural disasters will be created. Second, a social system that allows people to live in harmony with the global environment will be established. Third, a compassionate society that cares about people, in particular the vulnerable, will be built. These broad goals will act as guides as the Japanese people and the people of the Tohoku region undertake the monumental task of rebuilding after this disaster.

In more concrete terms, the Japanese Government has set aside US$48.5 billion in an emergency reconstruction budget. These funds will help pay for the huge effort required to get the Tohoku region back on its feet. As for the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, a nine-month roadmap has been announced. The first phase will ensure a steady decline in the amount of radioactive materials released from the plant. The second phase calls for the release of radioactive materials to be brought under control and for the amount of radiation to be held down significantly. At the beginning of the second phase, the current 12 mile evacuation area surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi plant will be reviewed and a decision will be made as to whether some of the residents may return to their homes, given the safety of those areas.

Normally, I end talks like this with a thank you to the audience for their patience, but in this case, I must thank you for something else. The Japanese people, myself included, were inspired and gratified by the strong moral and material support that we were extended by the United States and other allies around the world. Today, before signing off, I thank you for your friendship, and I hope that the kizuna between Japan and its friends in the United States and anywhere else will remain strong.