Kan's aid promise pleases foreign envoys at relief event

TOKYO, May 11 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Naoto Kan asked foreign diplomats during a reception Wednesday to help Japan's reconstruction by consuming food and liquor from areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, pleasing them by saying a full recovery will lead to increased aid.
Many of those attending the event, hosted by Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto to express Tokyo's gratitude for the international support received since the disaster, said they were not worried about the safety of farm produce from Fukushima Prefecture and its vicinity as they trust Japan's screening systems.
''Please buy various products from the Tohoku region and consume them at home. Such action will provide your biggest support for us,'' Kan told ambassadors and representatives from over 100 countries. Members of international organizations and nongovernmental bodies also attended the event.
Kan also admitted that many people had described as ''not a good idea'' his decision to cut foreign aid allocations for fiscal 2011 by 50.1 billion yen from the initially set 572.7 billion yen to raise funds for reconstruction work.
''When Japan achieves reconstruction, I promise that our country will reinstate the slashed amount and multiply official development assistance to support many countries,'' Kan said at the event at the Iikura Guest House.
Matsumoto asked diplomats to assure their nationals that Tokyo and other areas are open for economic activities and that food and industrial items sold on the market are safe as the government has taken appropriate steps following radiation leaks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
The Japanese government organized the reception as around 40 countries and regions have imposed restrictions on Japanese food imports due to fears of radioactive contamination.
At the reception, dishes made with vegetables and seafood from Fukushima Prefecture and other areas hit by the disasters as well as sake and wine from the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan were served. Representatives of areas affected by the disaster also promoted tourism.
Thai Ambassador to Japan Virasakdi Futrakul, who was among those at the reception, told Kyodo News that the country has asked Tokyo to issue certificates of origin when it imports food from Japan, but that he believes Thai people will regain confidence in Japanese food items as time passes and the crisis at the nuclear plant improves.
New Zealand Ambassador Ian Kennedy expressed sympathy as his country also saw visitor numbers fall after a major quake hit Christchurch in February.
The government also showed the participants images of Japan's reconstruction efforts. The 30-second footage will also be aired at the venue of the 64th Cannes International Film Festival, which opens Wednesday, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.