Secretary-General visits Fukushima; discusses disaster risk reduction, nuclear safety with Prime Minister
Highlights of the Spokesperson’s Noon Briefing
By Farhan Haq, Acting Deputy Spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
The Secretary-General visited the Japanese city of Fukushima today, and he told reporters afterwards that he had paid his respects in memory of the many people who lost their lives. He said that he could not express how sad he was to have seen the destruction and loss of lives there.
At the same time, the Secretary-General said that he was encouraged by what he has seen of the determination and resilience of the Japanese people and Government. He said to the people of Fukushima, “You are united. You are overcoming this tragedy.”
The Secretary-General added that he was sure that with strength and support of the United Nations and the international community, the people of Japan will be able to overcome this tragedy. At the same time, he drew attention to the meeting that he will convene in New York next month on nuclear safety, saying that we have to learn how we can strengthen nuclear safety.
He later met Prime Minister Kan Naoto and told reporters afterward that he was encouraged that the Japanese Government will share the lessons learned from this tragedy with the international community, particularly in the area of disaster risk reduction and preparedness and strengthening nuclear safety standards. He added that he and the Prime Minister had also discussed food security in the Horn of Africa and ways to help South Sudan.