On April 8, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada spoke to reporters in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture. He was asked for his impressions following his visit to Miyako City, Otsuchi Town, and Kamaishi City, which had been devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Okada responded, “I have seen films and pictures, but actually going and standing where it happened and talking with the victims made me realise once again that the gravity of the damage makes this the worst disaster in the history of Japan.” He went on, “The role of politics is being challenged. I felt renewed resolve regarding the need for the government to cooperate with prefectures and local municipalities.”

Furthermore, Okada pointed out that, with one month having passed since the disaster struck, there has been a change in the needs of those in the disaster-stricken areas, with the focus shifting from calls for food and gasoline to the provision of temporary housing in order to ensure that people can lead stable lives. He said that central government was making efforts towards the provision of such temporary housing, but said that he would like to urge them to move speedily to start construction in those areas where land for construction has already been determined.

Okada also praised Iwate Governor Takuya Tasso, who he had met that morning, for his efforts, saying, “I am grateful for his efforts in ably leading staff members under difficult circumstances. I would like central government to provide additional thorough support.” Okada revealed that during their meeting Tasso had revealed his intention of drafting a reconstruction vision for Iwate at an early date. He added that Tasso was slated to be a member of the Reconstruction Vision Council previously announced by the Prime Minister, and said, “We must merge the content of the recovery visions of the prefectures and of central government. It is necessary for central government, prefectural governments and local municipalities to proceed while liaising closely and obtaining a good rapport with each other.”

Regarding the distribution of donations gathered by the Japanese Red Cross and other organizations, Okada explained that central government had established a committee to discuss how donations should be distributed considering the current complex situation. He expressed the opinion that the method of distributing necessary funds in the interim was appropriate.

Okada also commented on the establishment of a basic law with the aim of promoting reconstruction, saying that it would clarify the organizational structure within central government responsible for overseeing reconstruction, and stressed that such efforts should be carried out in a unified and speedy way rather than using the vertically-administered approach that had dominated Japanese government organs up until now. He stressed, “We must debate this thoroughly, and ensure that our discussions are employed in the resulting legislation. I would like us to create a plan that will provide hope to people living in the affected areas.