Japan Press Weekly

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2008 June 18 - 24 [WELFARE]

JCP requests government swiftly take relief measures for quake victims

The Japanese Communist Party requested that the government take relief measures for victims of the Iwate-Miyagi Inland Earthquake.

On June 17, Takahashi Chizuko, JCP House of Representatives member and the secretary-general of the JCP task force on the earthquake, visited Minister of State for Disaster Management Izumi Shinya.

She told Izumi that restoring the lifelines, including water supply, is a matter of great urgency.

Izumi said, “Restoring water and sewage services is far behind what is needed. I will seek cooperation with other ministers.”

Pointing out that most quake-stricken areas are faming villages, she also requested a recovery of agricultural waterways.

Izumi said, “This is the crucial time of year for rice growers. We will do our utmost to recover agricultural waterways as quickly as possible.”

Takahashi, who had visited the disaster-hit areas in the wake of the June 14 earthquake, said that local governments in these areas find it difficult to find out the extent of the damage because the land area of each municipality is larger than before due to municipal mergers. She said the government should provide physical support for disaster assessment.

Izumi acknowledged the need to deal with this issue.

Emphasizing that this quake is the first large-scale disaster since the Natural Disaster Victims Relief Law was revised, Takahashi called for a flexible and active application of the law as well as assistance in house repairs under the National Disaster Act.

Izumi said the government will study how best to provide assistance.
- Akahata, June 18, 2008