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Newly elected opposition Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) leader Shinzo Abe visited Fukushima Prefecture on Wednesday and promised residents who had been forced to leave their homes because of last year's nuclear disaster that he would speed up assistance to them if the LDP wins a general election later this year.
Abe's visit comes ahead of a planned visit to Fukushima by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Sunday.
On Wednesday morning, Abe visited Soma City and met displaced residents who are living in a temporary housing complex, Fuji TV reported. He told the mostly elderly group that the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) had failed in its duty to assist them return to a normal life.
"The government has to step up and take greater responsibility," Abe said. "I promise you that if the LDP is returned to power, we will speed up recovery work."
In the afternoon, Abe also visited Minami-Soma and Namie, as well as the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, where he thanked workers for their efforts.
© Japan Today
20 Comments
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mountainpear
What is he going to do? Go and let them live back in the contaminated areas?
wackness
Any event where Abe doesn't breakdown and cry, then resign...it's a victory for him.
tmarie
Isn't HIS party the ones that a) built these plants on fault lines, b) allowed safety standards to be ignored c) were the ones that started the parachute retirements and sweet jobs for those in the know and d) has blocked most of the efforts Noda, Kan and their party has tired to make? Screw off Abe. You had your turn.
nath
Isn't it all a bit late?
Serrano
He's going to build a time machine and go back in time and stop the disaster before it happens.
gaijintraveller
And I thought it was the LDP who were blocking the reconostruction. How wrong can one be?
BurakuminDes
Yeah, right, pea-brain - that's why you achieved so much in your glorious stint as PM. Don't remember Abe doing anything to sort out the power companies back then. He was too busy moaning about some made up health "problems"...
gogogo
The LDP is the reason the thing is taking so long, they keep throwing up fillbusters, no confidence motions and calling for an election every week.
edojin
Abe is just blowing out hot air again. If the LDP had been in power at the time, the situation would be much worse not only for the people living there but for the people of Japan. Reasons for this have been posted over and over here on JT ...
Yubaru
I have come to the realization that any party in power would just like the problem (people) to quietly (Japanese-like) disappear (die-away) and let everyone else get on with living their lives.
Waxman
Like crows searching for remaining food in garbage...and they will fly after they eat whatever remains! Feel so sad for people in Fukushima!! Playing with peoples heart who have lost everything and promising something in exchange of votes!!!
cyclemate
LDP, "If you return us to power we will help you!" unspoken, LDP; "If you don'r return us to power, we will continue to block hlp!" If LDP actually had the interests of japanese people at heart, they would have done something in their long reign to do so, instead we have the longers fukeiki in the world's history. Except for Greece, that is.
YuriOtani
Sounds like a politician to me! Do you really expect any of them to say the unpleasant truth?
Onniyama
moutainpear. That is probably what he has in mind.
Lazaros Parasidis
rain means things are going left from today .. problema mr abe .. SL
BlackcatBCB
LDP oh yes you have failed and I have the feeling it is not the end...
Michael Craig
Better said than done, Shinzo!
warnerbro
Abe's party is what created Japan's reeking, leaking, corrupt and crumbling nuclear power industry. He ought to suit up, go do something useful onsite, or shut up.