ID :
206099
Thu, 09/08/2011 - 18:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206099
The shortlink copeid
Noda makes 1st trip to Fukushima Pref. as premier+
FUKUSHIMA, Japan, Sept. 8 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Thursday made his first trip to Fukushima Prefecture since taking office six days ago, with the crisis-hit nuclear power plant there continuing to release radioactive substances into the environment.
During a meeting with Fukushima Gov. Yuhei Sato, Noda first apologized for the crisis at the Fukushim Daiichi power plant and again pledged that the central government will make every effort for the ''revival of Fukushima.''
Noda promised to establish a special law as soon as possible to help resurrect Fukushima Prefecture and consider setting up a fund for reconstruction in the region.
Amid growing concern over the issue of how to dispose of contaminated soil and rubble, the central government plans to build a temporary storage facility in the prefecture for radioactive waste.
The prime minister and Sato did not touch on the matter during their meeting, said Goshi Hosono, minister tasked with handling the country's nuclear crisis, who accompanied Noda.
Noda told reporters that he will discuss the construction of such a storage plant further with the heads of local governments in the prefecture, indicating he has no intention to change Tokyo's initial plan.
When Noda's predecessor, Naoto Kan, last month suddenly unveiled to Sato the idea of setting up such a facility during their talks in the city of Fukushima, the governor expressed displeasure, saying, ''It's an abrupt proposal. We are very much baffled.''
With no end to the six-month-old crisis in sight, Noda visited the Fukushima Daiichi power plant crippled by the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami to inspect reactor buildings as well as to encourage workers at the site.
''Everyone in the country and the world is hoping for an end to the crisis,'' Noda said in front of about 200 workers at the power station.
''You're the key to whether we can overcome'' the crisis, he said, adding, ''I'll work hard, too, in concert with you.''
During his one-day trip, Noda also visited the J-Village athletic training facility which has been used as a base camp for efforts to contain the crisis at the power plant, Japan's worst ever nuclear power crisis.
''You've been highly praised by the public,'' Noda said to members of the Self-Defense Forces who are struggling to deal with the nuclear emergency and to decontaminate areas near the power station.
''I'm really proud of you as chief of the Self-Defense Forces,'' the prime minister said at the facility, wearing blue protective gear.
Noda had repeatedly expressed his desire to visit Fukushima and has vowed to speed up reconstruction in areas devastated by the March disaster and nuclear crisis, saying, ''Japan will be unable to revive unless Fukushima revives.''
On Thursday, Noda, who formally became the country's premier last Friday, also inspected the no-go zone covering areas within 20 kilometers of the plant by car and met with residents affected by the crisis.
Radioactive substances are still being released by the plant and many residents of nearby areas remain unable to return to their homes.
Noda will visit the typhoon-hit prefectures of Wakayama, Nara and Mie in western Japan on Friday and will travel Saturday to Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, which were hit hard by the March quake and tsunami, government officials said.
==Kyodo
2011-09-08 23:31:51
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Thursday made his first trip to Fukushima Prefecture since taking office six days ago, with the crisis-hit nuclear power plant there continuing to release radioactive substances into the environment.
During a meeting with Fukushima Gov. Yuhei Sato, Noda first apologized for the crisis at the Fukushim Daiichi power plant and again pledged that the central government will make every effort for the ''revival of Fukushima.''
Noda promised to establish a special law as soon as possible to help resurrect Fukushima Prefecture and consider setting up a fund for reconstruction in the region.
Amid growing concern over the issue of how to dispose of contaminated soil and rubble, the central government plans to build a temporary storage facility in the prefecture for radioactive waste.
The prime minister and Sato did not touch on the matter during their meeting, said Goshi Hosono, minister tasked with handling the country's nuclear crisis, who accompanied Noda.
Noda told reporters that he will discuss the construction of such a storage plant further with the heads of local governments in the prefecture, indicating he has no intention to change Tokyo's initial plan.
When Noda's predecessor, Naoto Kan, last month suddenly unveiled to Sato the idea of setting up such a facility during their talks in the city of Fukushima, the governor expressed displeasure, saying, ''It's an abrupt proposal. We are very much baffled.''
With no end to the six-month-old crisis in sight, Noda visited the Fukushima Daiichi power plant crippled by the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami to inspect reactor buildings as well as to encourage workers at the site.
''Everyone in the country and the world is hoping for an end to the crisis,'' Noda said in front of about 200 workers at the power station.
''You're the key to whether we can overcome'' the crisis, he said, adding, ''I'll work hard, too, in concert with you.''
During his one-day trip, Noda also visited the J-Village athletic training facility which has been used as a base camp for efforts to contain the crisis at the power plant, Japan's worst ever nuclear power crisis.
''You've been highly praised by the public,'' Noda said to members of the Self-Defense Forces who are struggling to deal with the nuclear emergency and to decontaminate areas near the power station.
''I'm really proud of you as chief of the Self-Defense Forces,'' the prime minister said at the facility, wearing blue protective gear.
Noda had repeatedly expressed his desire to visit Fukushima and has vowed to speed up reconstruction in areas devastated by the March disaster and nuclear crisis, saying, ''Japan will be unable to revive unless Fukushima revives.''
On Thursday, Noda, who formally became the country's premier last Friday, also inspected the no-go zone covering areas within 20 kilometers of the plant by car and met with residents affected by the crisis.
Radioactive substances are still being released by the plant and many residents of nearby areas remain unable to return to their homes.
Noda will visit the typhoon-hit prefectures of Wakayama, Nara and Mie in western Japan on Friday and will travel Saturday to Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, which were hit hard by the March quake and tsunami, government officials said.
==Kyodo
2011-09-08 23:31:51
