Abe apologizes over minister's remarks on Fukushima evacuees

So, be Japanese for once in your life, take responsibility for the mistakes and failings of those under you and do the noble thing....resign!

That guy Imamura is either emotionally disturbed, or too feeble to bear the stress of his job. Or both. He inspires no confidence that government is competent. To continue on this way is foolish and makes everyone look foolish. Get rid of the dead wood for heaven's sake. Really!

shallotsAPR. 09, 2017 - 07:34AM JST

That guy Imamura is either emotionally disturbed, or too feeble to bear the stress of his job. Or both. He inspires no confidence that government is competent.

He's right in there with Nippon Kaigi and the rest of the crypto-fascist gang of senile pensioners that Abe likes so I don't suppose any of that matters too much. Ideology is much more important than competence, after all.

Stop wasting time and fire the dude, and get someone in his place who can actually do the job s/he is being paid to do. It's been six years. We pay taxes to the govt so that the govt. can protect us during and after such disasters, and it isn't happening well enough. Crack on with it and stop dicking around.

who implied that Fukushima nuclear crisis evacuees from areas where the government deems safe should fend for themselves.

The government version of 'It's already X years, you should be over it by now'.

I think this incident raises the fact that politicians in Japan are given an easy ride by journalists. There are no tough interviews and no demanding questions. When the reporter asked a rather basic question and Imamura didn't or couldn't answer the reporter repeated the question. We saw the raction to that.

Shows up a glaring fault and hope it will prompt more probing questions of politicians on all sides.

I would like to see the (lifelong) leader of the Japanese Communist Party questioned on some of his party's policies.

This is not just confined to the LDP.

So, the Fukushima people are expected, and no literally TOLD, that they have to take responsibility and fend for themselves, but we now have Abe apologizing for someone else's comments because the guy refuses to take responsibility and step down?

These politicians, who fancy themselves modern day samurai and want a return to "beautiful Japan" sure would make the samurai roll over in their graves, so to speak. If Abe is TRULY sorry, he can start by dismissing Imamura -- who only "retracted" his comments, as all fools here do, when he got into big trouble. The man is the LEAST qualified person for the job, based on his comments and actions at the meeting where he made them.

"These politicians, who fancy themselves modern day samurai and want a return to "beautiful Japan" sure would make the samurai roll over in their graves, so to speak."

Shinzokun is a samurai. He bought his plastic sword,armor, and rocking horse at ToysR'Us.

Is that a drone in the pic? Not just the sound of the old boys talking i mean.

“Nothing has changed in my administration’s policy to promote reconstruction by standing by the people in Fukushima and those affected by the disaster,” Abe said.

This statement should read, "by standing on the people of Fukushima" The government has virtually told them, "Go home or get stuffed!" How is that standing by them? It is giving them an ultimatum!

Imamura's job title should be Minister for Forced Repatriation, which is deeply ironic considering his political beliefs place him close to the likes of Stalin, Hitler and the 1990s Balkan ethnic cleansers. Forced repatriation to avoid paying support to displaced families and to "prove" to the world that "It's under control" so the LDP can promote nuclear business export sales and safety Japan ahead of the Olympics. Disgraceful.

According to Wikipedia Imamura has 8,000 shares in Tepco so he has a vested interest in getting people to return and reducing Tepco's expenses.

@ Hellokitty

I get your point, and i also think this fossil is a joke but 8000 shares at 423 yen a share ain't exactly a lot.

apology not accepted the man should be sacked for his remarks

Ron is one of Fukushima evacuees? I think Fukushima people know how to speak for themselves.

Pathetic all round as usual sadly, the ldp so so so hold their people with such utter contempt, shameful doesn't even begin to describe it

Where did all the dontated monies go ?

“The minister has already apologized himself but I want to straightforwardly express my apology,”.....An apology to underline another apology that his disaster reconstruction minister, Masahiro Imamura, had already apologized for. It's a sorry form him and sorry from me. Regrettably so, because Disaster reconstruction minister, Masahiro Imamura presence just adds insult to injury,

“Nothing has changed in my administration’s policy to promote reconstruction by standing by the people in Fukushima and those affected by the disaster,” Abe said. “Without Fukushima’s reconstruction, there is no reconstruction of the Tohoku region. Without Tohoku’s reconstruction, Japan’s regeneration is impossible.”.....

That's gibberish.will the government reinstate the housing subsidies for voluntary evacuees?.....A simple Yes or No.

I didn't see the apology during the press conference that was broadcast on TV. Just curious, was is he playing with a drone in the picture?