On 26 September, President Aquino, during his Official Working Visit to Japan, visited Ishinomaki City which is an affected area of the Great Eastern Earthquake (State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Yamaguchi accompanied President Aquino). The summary of the visit is as follows:
1. Welcome by the Sendai City Mayor at the Sendai Station
Sendai City mayor Ms. Emiko Okuyama welcomed President Aquino at the Sendai Station and talked with him for a short while. President Aquino appreciated the photo collection about the damages brought about by the Great Eastern Earthquake given by Mayor Okuyama, and expressed his sympathy to the disaster victims as well as prayed for the city's recovery at the soonest possible time.
2. Visit to the Ishinomaki City Office and the Announcement of the Donation
President Aquino was welcomed by the Ishinomaki City Mayor Mr. Hiroshi Kameyama and other city officials in the Ishinomaki City Office. Mayor Kameyama explained about the situation in Ishinomaki City in relation to the disaster, and how the city is working towards the reconstruction. President Aquino expressed his sympathy and handed over the letter regarding the donation of $1 million to Ishinomaki City to Mayor Kameyama, and said that the Philippine Government and the Filipino people wish for the earliest recovery of Ishinomaki City. Mayor Kameyama appreciated the donation and said that he would like to use the donation for the reconstruction of Ishinomaki City.
3. The Visit to Kadonowaki Elementary School (affected area)
President Aquino visited Kadonowaki Elementary School which was burnt and destroyed because of the tsunami and fire due to the Great Eastern Earthquake. Mayor Kameyama explained about the damage caused by the disaster in Ishinomaki City. President Aquino offered flowers in front of the school building which was burnt and destroyed and expressed his sympathy to the affected people.
4. The Informal Meeting with the Filipino Community
President Aquino was present at an informal meeting with about 150 members of the Filipino community in Japan who gathered from every part of the Tohoku area. In Ishinomaki Catholic Church the four representatives of the Filipino community welcomed the President's visit to Japan and Ishinomaki City and explained the conditions of the damage caused by the disaster. They also said that the support and encouragement from the Philippine Government and the local Filipino community are heartwarming and of great help. In response to this President Aquino said that it was a great pleasure for him to visit Ishinomaki City this time and that as a repayment for the support of Japan to the Philippines up to present he would like to give a donation to Ishinomaki City to support the affected areas. He promised to make more efforts by himself for their home country, the Philippines and encouraged them to overcome the hardship of the disaster.
5. The Visit to the Shelter
President Aquino visited the shelter in Kadonowaki junior high school. The staff of the Ishinomaki City office explained to him about the situation in the shelter. President Aquino expressed his sympathy to the people in the shelter and wished for their earliest recovery. He told them that he would like to give as much support as possible as repayment to Japan's support to the Philippines.
6. Miyagi Vice-Governor Sends Off President Aquino at the Sendai Station
Vice-Governor of Miyagi Prefecture Mr. Masahiro Wako talked with President Aquino for a short while in Sendai Station and sent him off at the Sendai Station. Vice-Governor Mr. Wako appreciated the President's visit to Miyagi Prefecture and the staff of President Aquino talked about their impression of Ishinomaki City and wished for the earliest recovery of Miyagi Prefecture.
