Remarks by the Consul General of Japan At Lunch meeting of Consular Corps of Miami
Bankers Club
March 22, 2011
Allow me to say a few words of Appreciation at my first lunch meeting with Consular Corps.
On behalf of the Japanese people affected by the huge quake and Tsunami in the Tohoku area in northern Japan, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the kind words of sympathy and solidarity promptly expressed by consuls general residing here.
Now, I would like to share with you some current information of what is happening in Japan:
A highly destructive earthquake and tsunami hit Tohoku, Japan on March 11.
(1) The earthquake and tsunami devastated Tohoku district and other regions. Damages were inflicted in Kanto district, too. The number of deaths is 9,079, the number of the injured is 2,633, and the number of missing is 12,782 (as of March 22 at 15:00, according to the National Police Agency). The number of those evacuated is approximately 320,000.
2) In the Tohoku district and other regions, lifelines (including electricity, gas, and water), roads, railways, airports, and other infrastructures were severely damaged. In many areas, the services of electricity, gas and water are disconnected. Currently, the whole nation is working for the post-disaster rehabilitation.
３）Rescue teams by international community Immediately after the disaster, rescue teams from various countries started to arrive in Japan. Offers of assistance from more than 120 countries and 32 international organizations were pledged so far.
4) Soon after the news of the earthquake and tsunami, we started receiving calls and e-mails from lots of Floridians to express their sympathy and solidarity with Japan, including Governor Rick Scott and CFO of State of Florida, Mr. Jeff Atwater and other people.
5) Here in Miami, we have open condolence books in our office for the signing by diplomatic missions abroad from March 16th until March 23. Consul General Ambassador of Brazil was the first CG signed the book of condolence last week.
6) Financial Times and Wall Street Journal praised the resilience of Japanese nationals and their preparedness for natural disaster in Japan. These papers also reported of incredible calmness of Japanese people in the disaster affected areas.
I strongly hope that the victims of the earthquake and tsunami will recover and restart their normal life as soon as possible.
Thank you for your attention.
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