Japan’s Prime Minister attends 3/11 disaster memorial

Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has pledged to pass on to future generations lessons learned from the March 11 disaster of 14 years ago. Ishiba spoke on Tuesday at a ceremony in the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima to remember victims of the massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami. 

The quake and tsunami also triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Ishiba said he feels overwhelming sadness thinking about people who lost their families and friends, and offers his heartfelt sympathies to all afflicted. 

He noted that reconstruction is underway in areas damaged by the earthquake and tsunami. But he said areas affected by the nuclear accident require a longer-term response. The prime minister promised that the government will steadily decommission the reactors, improve the living environment for residents to return home, and provide support for the revitalization of people’s lives.