Japan wants to increase investments in cities destroyed by tsunami

Six months since the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeast region of Japan, the government promised to expand investment in the cities destroyed.

So far I have been spending nearly $ 130 billion in reconstruction work. With a third extra budget already being discussed, it is estimated that total spending will reach $ 400 billion.

On Monday, the new prime minister Yoshihiko Noda, the sixth to hold the position in five years, appointed a new Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, with the mandate to review the policy of nuclear energy in Japan

Former government spokesman Yukio Edan takes the place of Yoshio Hachiro, who resigned on Saturday (10) after making inappropriate comments about the nuclear crisis.

Hachiro called evacuated the area near the plant in Fukushima "city of death", insensitive remark seen by those who had to flee their homes because of the radioactive leak.

Currently, only 11 of the 54 nuclear reactors normally operate in Japan

Reconstruction

After making his first visit to the provinces of Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima, the hardest hit by the disaster, the Japanese prime minister promised to strengthen the reconstruction of devastated areas, where they accumulate more than 23 thousand tons of rubble.

Thousands of people live in shelters and temporary housing, and expect the government to decide where their homes are rebuilt.

Noda asked his cabinet to focus on implementing the reconstruction plans. He also wants to quickly resolve the problem of living in the area around the nuclear plant in Fukushima.

About 80 000 people were evacuated from their homes within a radius of 20 km around the plant. Officials say some areas should be inhabited for years because of radiation.

In total, 15,774 people died in the earthquake and tsunami and other 4,227 are still missing. In the coastal region, more than 115 000 buildings were completely destroyed.

Manifestation

Photo: Ewerthon Tobacco / BBC Brazil

Yoko Haga visits the place where his mother lived and prayed, looking out to sea

The weekend in Japan was also marked by ceremonies in memory of the victims and protest against the use of nuclear energy.

Yoko Haga was the place where the mother lived in Iwaki, Fukushima province, to pray.

"Her body has not been found," he told BBC Brazil, visibly moved.

Facing the sea, the house was completely destroyed. That left only a few remnants of blocks on the floor.

"I come here always, pray and watch the sea. I still hope you can make a funeral ceremony for her," said the lady, who said today that it has very afraid of the sea.

"Before I liked. Not anymore."

In Shinjuku in central Tokyo, about 2,500 protesters marched outside the headquarters of the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

They called for complete shutdown of nuclear plants across Japan also demanded a new energy policy.

The police were working to contain the demonstration and arrested twelve people came. Another four said the start of a hunger strike for 10 days to force a change in nuclear policy of the country.

Similar protests were held in other cities, according to Japanese media reported.