Japan PM promises to rebuild nation

As food and petrol reach disaster zone, Naoto Kan tells people to look towards reconstruction after quake and tsunami The Japanese prime minister, Naoto Kan, has vowed to rebuild his nation from scratch after the country’s deadliest disaster since the second world war. A week after an earthquake and tsunami caused a multiple nuclear meltdown, Kan attempted to use a rare day of positive news to shift attention from devastation to reconstruction. Several petrol stations and train lines reopened, more food was delivered into the disaster zone and an emergency mission to stabilise the melting reactors at the Fukushima No 1 power plant appeared – at least temporarily – to have slowed the leak of radiation. These glimmers of hope were set against grim new casualty figures – 6,900 people are confirmed dead and thousands more are reported missing – that have made the disaster the worst in more than 60 years. Though the scale of the calamity would have tested any prime minister, Kan has been widely criticised for striking a low public profile at a time when many were looking for leadership. In a televised address, he took a more assertive stance and pressed home the need for a change of mood. “With the tsunami and earthquake, we do not have room to be pessimistic or discouraged. We are going to create Japan once again from scratch,” he urged his listeners. “Each and every one of the Japanese people must have strong resolution to move forward and overcome these difficulties.” Survivors paused to observe a minute’s silence at 2.46pm, the time the 8.9-magnitude quake struck last week. It was a moment of reflection also for the government. The government’s chief spokesman admitted that it had been overwhelmed. “The unprecedented scale of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, frankly speaking, were among many things that happened that had not been anticipated under our disaster management contingency plans,” Yukio Edano said. “In hindsight we could have moved a little quicker in assessing the situation and coordinating all that information and provided it faster.” In the disaster zone, earth-moving equipment and mechanical diggers cleared blocked roads, while military and aid groups distributed larger quantities of essential provisions to the 430,000 people who have lost their homes. The government has promised to build temporary residences as an alternative to the schools, gymnasiums and other public buildings where refugees are currently staying. But this will take time. Miyagi’s governor, Yoshihiro Murai, urged people to move away, saying it would be difficult to provide housing in the near future. Shortages of petrol and obstructed routes have left many in the 2,200 emergency shelters across the disaster zone short of food, fuel, water and medicine. Officials have warned that the nuclear incident is also hampering efforts to deliver aid, making drivers reluctant to travel to areas even outside the exclusion zone. Kan acknowledged the problems faced by evacuees in shelters and promised the government would overcome difficulties to provide food and blankets. “I know it is very cold and there is not enough food and water … I extend my sympathy to all those suffering hardship,” he said. The prime minister is thought likely to visit the disaster zone next week. The past week has severely tested the patience of evacuees forced to live in cold shelters without adequate food, heating or sanitation, but local leaders said the government was doing all it could in the circumstances. “It can’t be helped. There was such an enormous amount of damage,” said Hozo Hirano, the deputy chief of the disaster relief operation in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, which was devastated by the tsunami. “I’m sure the central and provincial governments will provide us support in time, but rather than rely on others, we need to think what we can do to help ourselves.” Japan disaster Japan Natural disasters and extreme weather Nuclear power Energy Justin McCurry Tania Branigan Jonathan Watts guardian.co.uk

Posted by on March 18, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.