61872    Not only those in the disaster area but also everyone in this country must be thinking, "why should such a thing happen?"

61873    Analysis of the actual damage, full investigation into the cause of the damage to this extent and other related issues must be carried out immediately.

61874    However, for the time being, we hope that the government will focus its effort on searching for missing persons and assisting the disaster victims, with saving lives being the top priority.

61875    Those prefectural governments that had escaped the earthquake damage should lend their support in rescue and relief efforts.

61876    Since it is a fate of the earthquake-prone archipelago and any one of us could be the victim of such a disaster in the future.

61877    But seeing the images of the disaster area after the earthquake has struck must have increased the anxiety of many people.

61878    Even after one full day has passed, smoke is still going up everywhere in Kobe.

61879    Although it has been reported that missing persons are trapped under the rubble, they have yet to be rescued.

61880    Additionally, sufficient food supplies have not been reaching the earthquake victims and reportedly there is even a concern about starvation.

61881    Lifelines such as water, sewage, electricity, gas, communications, and transportation remain disrupted.

61882    It is hard to believe that this is the scene in "Japan, the economic superpower."

61883    It even calls into question if the government ever had a proper manual in the event a disaster strikes.

61884    The government set up the Headquarters for Major Disaster Countermeasures immediately after the earthquake and it has been reported that Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama instructed it to devise "urgent and prompt countermeasures."

61885    The Self-Defense Forces also immediately dispatched three units to the Kobe area.

61886    We do not think that there were delays in taking action.