quake

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

1st anniversary of Niigata earthquake, victims need generous state support

October 23 marked the first anniversary of the major earthquake in Niigata Prefecture that killed 51 people and destroyed 120,000 houses. About 2,800 families (9,000 people) who still live in temporary housing in the affected areas need government assistance in returning to normal lives.

At a memorial service, Niigata Governor Izumida Hirohiko stated, "I will devote myself to reconstruction efforts to enable all quake victims to get back to normal lives before the snow season begins."

Japanese Communist Party members of neighboring local assemblies also attended the memorial service. Takeshima Ryoko, JCP member of the Nagaoka City Assembly, said, "The situation for the victims hasn't changed at all since the earthquake. In particular, the government relief measure that excludes rebuilding houses adds to the hardships that quake victims are experiencing. Together with the victims, I will make efforts to press the government to establish a more efficient support system."

A 75-year-old victim said, "Old people with neither young family members nor money are worried about how to return to their houses, and people in temporary housing are worried about where to live after their term expires next autumn. To get our lives back to normal, we want a support program to return to our houses. We hope that the government will establish a new system to achieve this end." -- Akahata, October 24, 2005