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2011/09/08
Noda visits site of nuclear accident, says “There can be no restoration of Japan to health without restoring Fukushima.”
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On September 8, Prime Minister Noda visited Fukushima prefecture, travelling to inspect Fukushima No 1 Nuclear Power Plant, areas within the 20 km restricted zone surrounding the plant, and a decontamination site in Date city. He was accompanied by Minister of State responsible for dealing with the nuclear accident Goshi Hosono. Noda had emphasized in his speech during the DPJ leadership election that he “first wanted to visit Fukushima prefecture,” and in his inaugural press conference as Prime Minister had made the response to the nuclear accident a main priority.
In Date city, Noda visited a community centre which had been decontaminated as a test case. He listened to an explanation of the decontamination process given by the President of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency Atsuyuki Suzuki. Following that Noda travelled to an elementary school. He made a detailed inspection of the school, and heard an explanation of the decontamination process and its effectiveness from the mayor of Date city.
In response to calls from local people to proceed with decontamination efforts, Noda said, “I will engage seriously and honestly [in such efforts].” Upon leaving the school, he waved his hand, repeating, “I will liaise with the mayor and engage fully in this issue.”
Leaving Date city behind him, Noda then visited J Village, which serves as a centre for those engaged in responding to the nuclear accident, and offered words of encouragement to workers and SDF troops based there. Following this, he proceeded to Fukushima No 1 nuclear power plant. There he received an explanation from TEPCO managing director Akio Komori and plant director Masao Yoshida, and after offering words of encouragement to workers involved in efforts to deal with the nuclear accident, he inspected various facilities at the plant, including the nuclear reactor buildings.
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