61925 Some people hung on for three days under the collapsed houses and were rescued.
61926 We must not despair.
61927 Yet, every second counts.
61928 The institutions concerned should leave no stones unturned in their efforts to rescue as many persons as possible.
61929 As of the evening of the 19th, nearly 300,000 people are continuing to live in evacuation centers in Hyogo Prefecture, and the depleting supplies of water, food and heaters are compounding their fatigue.
61930 The situation in progress here is what would have happened if a city of 300,000 had completely been wiped out.
61931 Along with saving lives, it is a task of utmost importance to extend relief to the victims' suffering from emotional and physical fatigue and to support them with food, clothing and shelter for the time being.
61932 It is necessary to develop a nationwide rescue operation involving private corporations and the people residing outside the disaster area, not to mention the central and local governments and the institutions concerned.
61933 For that purpose, we first want to call for strong leadership from the government.
61934 Upon his visit to the disaster area, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama must have seen and heard the situation where people scoop and drink tap water spouting on the street and three people are sharing one rice ball.
61935 He must get going to fulfill his commitment to "do whatever possible" immediately.
61936 The same evening when the victims of the earthquake are suffering from inadequate supplies of water and food, neon lights illuminate the streets and restaurants are doing brisk business downtown in neighboring Osaka.
61937 There is plenty of water and food once we leave the disaster area.
61938 This is the difference from living as evacuees in the ashes of war.