Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru visited a robot research center in Fukushima on March 11.

The facility engages in activities related to the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework, a national project aimed at restoring industries in the prefecture affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear disaster.

Ishiba said he wants to develop innovation hubs, urge startups and growing companies to gather, and foster the creation of new industries.

To that end, he expressed his intention to launch a government meeting involving relevant ministries and agencies to accelerate regional revitalization across Japan.

S/ Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister / Starting with Fukushima, I want to visit as many regions as possible and deepen dialogue with representatives from industry, government, academia, finance, labor and media.

Ishiba also attended a memorial ceremony for the 2011 quake.

He said the central government will advance reconstruction measures more vigorously than ever before in the coming five years, which will be an important period for rebuilding from the disaster.

Ishiba has positioned Regional Revitalization 2.0 as one of his centerpiece policies.