Japan- France Summit Telephone Conversation

March 18, 2011
Japanese

Today (Friday, March 18), from 19:00 for about 15 minutes, Prime Minister Naoto Kan held a telephone conversation with H.E. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic. The outline of the conversation is as follows.
President Sarkozy stated that he would like to express his heartfelt sympathy and convey French people’s sense of solidarity with the people of Japan and that he hoped that Japan would request any necessary assistance. He asked some questions on the current situation.
In response, Prime Minister Kan expressed his gratitude for the words of sympathy and assistance extended and the sense of solidarity expressed by French people. He explained about the situation of the assistance for those who suffered from the earthquake and of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant.
President Sarkozy expressed his respect for the courage of Japanese people who are facing difficulties. Prime Minister Kan concluded the conversation by stating that he is looking forward to meeting with President Salkozy at G8 Summit to be held in France in late May.

(* This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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