*  *  *  Introduction I am privileged to have the opportunity to speak before such a large audience today. Two and a half months have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, but many continue to face severe hardship, including those being forced to live at evacuation sites. I would like to offer my heartfelt sympathy to those who are suffering.
At the same time, moves toward rebuilding life and infrastructure are under way in disaster areas, albeit gradually. At the beginning of May, the Diet approved the supplementary budget aimed at early rebuilding following the disaster. Discussions toward revival of the disaster areas are also under way.