Tokyo, Dec 10 (TIWN) Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday travelled to Miyagi and Iwate prefectures to visit areas devastated by the March 2011 quake and tsunami and to see the ongoing recovery efforts.

The visits mark the first time for Suga to visit the disaster-hit areas since he assumed office in September.  "I believe there are numerous issues, but I would like you to tell me about them without hesitation," Suga said after hearing about the current situation from Atsumi Iwao, mayor of Higashi Matsushima City in Miyagi Prefecture, local media reported.  Suga went on to say, "We will respond accordingly."  Japan's premier then visited Ishinomaki City, a particularly hard-hit region of Miyagi Prefecture, where he offered flowers and silent prayers for the lives lost at a memorial park.