ニュース 2012/02/10 Reconstruction Agency established to accelerate reconstruction following Great East Japan Earthquake On February 10, a Reconstruction Agency was established to coordinate and act as a control centre for reconstruction measures to be implemented following the Great East Japan Earthquake. That same day, Prime Minister Noda, along with Minister for Reconstruction Tatsuo Hirano, who will head the Agency, and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tsuyoshi Saito, attended an inauguration ceremony for the new agency, fixing a name-plaque at the entrance to the building. Noda stated that he was reminded of the weight of responsibility for reconstruction that is placed upon his administration. Wood from the famous “Takada Matsubara” pine forest in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, which was obliterated by the tsunami, was used for the name-plaque. The Reconstruction Agency has established branches in the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, and commenced operations that very afternoon.