Press Releases
Reception Co-hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Governor of Fukushima Prefecture
January 29, 2026
On January 29, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Governor of Fukushima Prefecture co-hosted a reception “Fukushima: Winds of Happiness: Revitalising towards an Innovative Future” at the Iikura Guest House, attended by approximately 160 people, including diplomatic corps, foreign chambers of commerce stationed in Japan, international organizations and business representatives. The overview of the reception is as follows:
- The reception is a program co-hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and a head of local government to promote local diverse charms both domestically and internationally by inviting diplomatic corps in Japan and other guests to the Iikura Guest House. This is the 29th one.
- At the beginning of the reception, Mr. HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and Mr. UCHIBORI Masao, Governor of Fukushima Prefecture, delivered their opening remarks, and then, Mr. YABUKI Koichi, Chairperson of the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly, made a toast. In his speech, State Minister HORII noted it has now been 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck in March 2011 and expressed his respect and solidarity to Governor Uchibori and the people of Fukushima for their unwavering efforts in reconstruction following the earthquake, as well as for their continued work to address harmful rumors. State Minister HORII also stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains fully committed to working to achieve the early lifting of remaining import restrictions on Japanese food products and to providing credible, fact-based information to counter misconceptions. Further, State Minister HORII encouraged the participants to help share the many attractions of Fukushima and convey credible, fact-based information about the region to the world.
- The reception featured booths introducing local food, Japanese sake, tourism, traditional crafts such as Akabeko, as well as recovery and reconstruction efforts following the earthquake. There was also a stage performance of Koto, highlighting the diverse attractions of Fukushima Prefecture.