MFA Press Statement: Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam to Japan, 13 to 17 March 2015

Minister K Shanmugam receiving a Memento of Appreciation from Rikuzentakata City Mayor Futoshi Toba at the Opening Ceremony of the Rikuzentakata Multi-Purpose Community Hall. [Photo: MFA]
 

            Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Rikuzentakata Multi-Purpose Community Hall (MPCH) with Mayor of Rikuzentakata City Futoshi Toba this morning.  Mayor Toba presented a Memento of Appreciation to Minister Shanmugam for the generous contribution by Singapore after the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, in particular for the MPCH which is Singapore’s largest and final reconstruction project after the 2011 disasters.  Minister Shanmugam and Mayor Toba also unveiled a commemorative friendship plaque to mark the opening of the MPCH.   

            Prior to the Opening Ceremony, Minister Shanmugam took a tour of Rikuzentakata City and was briefed on the progress of the City’s reconstruction.  He noted that Singapore’s contribution to the Tohoku region following the disasters was one of the largest that Singapore has made to a single country to date.  This is a reflection of the close people-to-people ties between Singapore and Japan. 

            Minister Shanmugam also attended the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3UNWCDRR) side event “Symposium for Disaster Prevention Regarding People with Special Needs” held at the newly-opened Rikuzentakata MPCH this afternoon.  In his remarks, Minister Shanmugam reiterated the importance of international cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction.  He also expressed support for Rikuzentakata City’s focus on creating an inclusive city which, among other things, feature facilities and amenities which cater to the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.

            Minister Shanmugam will return to Tokyo this evening, where he will meet Komeito Chief Representative Natsuo Yamaguchi.  He will return to Singapore on 17 March. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

16 MARCH 2015