politics

Abe visits Miyagi to inspect reconstruction effort

11 Comments

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday visited Miyagi Prefecture to inspect the reconstruction effort and assure victims of the March 11, 2011 disaster that they haven't been forgotten by his government.

It was Abe's third visit to the prefecture since he took office last December.

Abe visited Onagawa in the morning and was briefed by local officials on their plan to rebuild homes on higher ground and relocate businesses, TV Asahi reported. Abe praised the plan and said he hoped Onagawa would become a model for other areas undergoing reconstruction.

In the afternoon, Abe visited the Self-Defense Force base at Matsushima.

Abe has made several trips to Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures this year. He reiterated to reporters that he believes recovery in the Tohoku is the key to the Japanese economy recovering as whole.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

11 Comments
Login to comment

...briefed by local officials on their plan to rebuild homes on higher ground and relocate businesses...

Still in the planning stage?

The local governments wait for central guidance, while central government waits for local decisions! Nothing gets done; and money gets squandered...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Wanderlust I can understand your frustration.

However there are some sticky problems that need to be overcome before rebuilding on higher ground can commence. Firstly, the land has to be purchaced. Almost all of the owners are dead or missing. All of the land deeds and titles have been destroyed.

If you have any constructive suggestions for dealing with this first step within the framework of the existing Japanese legal system, I think you should write them down and send then to the Onagawa town office. I am sure they will appreciate you input.

A visit to the area might also deepen your understanding of the problems.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

and assure victims of the March 11, 2011 disaster that they haven’t been forgotten by his government.

"We haven't forgot you. I'm sure one of these years we'll get proper housing for you."

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Bwaaah! These people have been living in shelters for over two years! The don't wanna hear your political BS! They wanna see some action and some cash! Wanker!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

theyll arrange a photo op and a Bush-like "You're doing a great job, Brownie!". Then continue to ignore shelters for another year.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Garymalmgren: Excellent post.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@garymalmgren - my cousin was displaced from Fukushima - the family lived 50 km from the NPP. Their house was badly damaged in the quake, but not the tsunami, though now they are not allowed to live in their village. I think I know reasonably the situation from him...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

One possible solution is not to rebuild at all but to relocate.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

We haven't forgotten you, Miyazaki!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites