 Minister suggests using state funds in rebuilding quake-hit houses Murata Yoshitaka, state minister for natural disaster prevention, has told the Japanese Communist Party that the government would consider using state funds in helping rebuilding the houses that were damaged by the major Niigata earthquake. JCP Chair Shii Kazuo and Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi, after visiting Niigata for two days to hear testimonies from evacuees, made an urgent request to Murata on November 9 over reconstruction relief from the disaster. The JCP stressed the need for tax money to be used to repair and rebuild the quake-damaged houses in this snow-ridden district, with a strong sense of solidarity with the graying community. Shii said, "There will be no revival of local communities without houses being rebuilt. In this respect, houses are not just personal assets but are public goods." He demanded that state funds in rebuilding not just the completely damaged houses but also partially damaged houses that are still unusable. Minister Murata promised that a realistic judgment would be made in assessing on half-broken and unusable houses from the totally destroyed. On the JCP request to provide proper medical services for evacuees, the minister also promised to consider it in response to the local needs. (end) |