61950 These problems cannot possibly be addressed without the support for the local administration by the central and local governments across the nation.
61951 Everyone in this country thinks they "want to do whatever possible to be of help."
61952 When the City of Kobe called for volunteers with certain expertise, an astonishing number of people responded from all over Japan.
61953 There have been a conspicuous number of private volunteers on their way to Kobe on foot or on bicycles carrying food or daily essentials.
61954 Offers of help continue to come from abroad and the United Nations.
61955 We cannot describe how greatly such support cheer up the victims.
61956 Images of the victims who are helping each other and sharing caring words with one another are touching the entire nation and spreading the circle of encouragement.
61957 We should bring the goodwill of everyone including private citizens, businesses and foreign countries into play in this situation.
61958 We cannot help but hope for establishing arrangements where a lot of supplies and goodwill will reach and help the victims.
61959 The regular Diet session will convene on the 20th.
61960 The government as well as ruling and opposition parties first and foremost must concentrate their efforts on emergency recovery measures related to the Great Hanshin Earthquake, and in addition to taking action to help the victims to return to a stable daily life outside of the shelters as soon as possible, it should work on establishing the fundamental anti-earthquake and disaster prevention measures utilizing the lessons they have learned from the latest earthquake.
61961 The most significant factor in politics this year is that it is an "election year."
61962 There will be the unified local elections during the current Diet session and elections for the House of Councillors will be held in July.
61963 Additionally, though the timing has yet to be decided, there is the strong likelihood that the first general election may be held under the new electoral system in view of the current political climate.