Over 60% see no prospect of reconstruction (Japanese municipalities affected by tsunami)

nhk.or.jp ^ | June 13, 2011 | no byline

[ransomnote]

An NHK survey of municipalities affected by the March 11th disasters has found more than 60 percent of them see little or no prospect of reconstruction.

The mayors of 42 cities, towns and villages in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima responded to the survey.

6 mayors, including those of Otsuchi Town in Iwate Prefecture and Fukushima's Namie Town said there is no prospect of reconstruction.

Another 20 municipal heads said there is little prospect of reconstruction.

Whereas 80 percent of municipalities said they are seeing progress in building temporary housing and in restoring utilities, 90 percent said there was still no prospect of rebuilding industries or employment.

When asked what they expect of the national government, 38 municipal heads said securing enough financial help, and 34 mayors said speedy assistance. 24 said deregulation efforts such as the establishment of a special economic zone.

The survey also asked mayors of 13 municipalities located within a 30-kilometer radius of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, or within the evacuation zone, what the 3 most serious issues are. 10 of them mentioned radiation-related health concerns and residents leaving and dispersing.

[struggle]

There WILL be reconstruction, but from my experience in seeing the Japanese countryside, 25% of the homes were probably vacant anyway.

[DesertRhino]

Is that true? If so why is that? Are they vacant as in abandoned,,no one wanting to rent or buy them? Or vacant like places people only go on the weekends??

[DesertRhino]

Is that true? If so why is that? Are they vacant as in abandoned,,no one wanting to rent or buy them? Or vacant like places people only go on the weekends??

[Cheetahcat]

Maybe if they rebuild the buildings facing the sea out of concrete in the shape of a plow,they might find tenants.