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PRIME MINISTER'S DIARY

Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary

of the Great East Japan Earthquake/

TPP Negotiations

Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

On March 11, 2013, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake held in Tokyo in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

The Prime Minister delivered an address as follows:

"Today I pledge firmly that we will achieve reconstruction of the disaster areas and livelihood rehabilitation for disaster victims at as early a time as possible by investing all the energy we can muster and by considering the sensitivities of the disaster victims, while also moving forward on creating a nation with a high degree of resilience to disasters all throughout the country, in keeping with the lessons learned through this disaster.

In this earthquake disaster, the power of helping one another was demonstrated at a grand scale. This was of course true with the efforts of the local people and of relevant organizations, but it was also seen in the great many hands of assistance extended from every part of our nation. Japan also received a tremendous amount of cordial and encouraging assistance from various countries and regions around the world, from which we have dignitaries attending today. I would like to express our gratitude once again."


TPP Negotiations

On March 15, 2013, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, following the decision to participate in the TPP negotiations.

The Prime Minister said:

"The significance of the TPP is not limited to the economic impact on our country. Japan is creating a new economic zone with our ally, the United States. Other countries who share the universal values of freedom, democracy, basic human rights, and the rule of law are joining. I firmly believe that creating new rules in the Asia-Pacific region with these countries is not only in Japan's national interests, but also certain to bring prosperity to the world.

Furthermore, I have no doubt that deepening economic interdependence with these countries in a common economic order will significantly contribute to the security of our country and also to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region."

© 2009 Cabinet Office, Government of Japan