March 11, 2012
Akahata editorial
One year has passed since the Great East Japan Disaster. The earthquake of a seismic intensity of 7 hit the Tohoku region, and the resultant big tsunami washed away many things, including people and houses. Radioactive contamination from the Tokyo Electric Power Co. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident ensued, and the evacuation is far from over. The disaster areas are still suffering from the extensive damage.
We express deep sadness for the over 19,000 people who died or are still missing, and their bereaved families. We will increase our efforts so that the several hundred thousand victims of the great earthquake and the nuclear accident and those who are living in temporary housing can have their jobs and livelihoods restored as early as possible.
Suffering continues
This past winter, the disaster areas were hit with snow and cold even more severe than usual. Meager measures at temporary housing units against the cold are depriving the dwellers of sound sleep.
The earthquake has deprived many people of their ability to work. The local fishery industry has been very slow to restart. The extension of unemployment benefits is being denied. More than 10,000 people will face the denial of benefits extension by April.
Social infrastructures, such as medical services and education, have also been seriously affected. The number of elderly people in need of nursing care due to the prolonged evacuation is increasing. The number of residents who were authorized to have nursing care services is 20% greater than last year in the disaster-hit region. Decent living conditions should be restored as soon as possible.
Even a year after the great disaster, victims’ suffering continues in the disaster areas. In opinion polls conducted by the media, 70-80% of respondents say that restoration is not progressing. It is not simply that the damage of the earthquake and tsunami was enormous, but the government measures in the last year were insufficient.
It is absolutely unacceptable that precious lives having survived the quake and tsunami eventually were lost during the evacuation. It is none other than man-made disasters.
Since the disaster broke out, the Japanese Communist Party has made the utmost effort for relief activities in the disaster areas and fund-raising activities nationwide. The JCP made proposals to the government that priority should be given to restoring victims’ livelihoods and businesses. Progress has been made with some improvements in temporary housing, measures against “double loan” issues, and the struggle against the “special fishery zone” program that is intended to benefit financial circles.
Restoring victims’ livelihoods and the disaster areas should not be further delayed. Disaster victims will not be able to return to their familiar localities if they cannot secure permanent houses and jobs due to their prolonged evacuation life. Local communities will be destroyed. It is essential for the government to take responsibility to support victims to rebuild their homes, and support anyone who is willing to restore their businesses and secure jobs.
Resolve to move away from NPP
About 160,000 people were forced to evacuate due to the nuclear accident and to live inside or outside Fukushima Prefecture in temporary shelters. The government must rapidly decontaminate radioactivity, and compensate for the damage at its responsibility to protect the lives, health, and livelihoods of the people. The government must support the victims and at the same time make a prompt decision to move away from nuclear power generation.
The JCP and Akahata uphold the principle that the party and the newspaper go wherever people are suffering. We will keep up the struggle and join forces with people to achieve social justice.
One year has passed since the Great East Japan Disaster. The earthquake of a seismic intensity of 7 hit the Tohoku region, and the resultant big tsunami washed away many things, including people and houses. Radioactive contamination from the Tokyo Electric Power Co. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident ensued, and the evacuation is far from over. The disaster areas are still suffering from the extensive damage.
We express deep sadness for the over 19,000 people who died or are still missing, and their bereaved families. We will increase our efforts so that the several hundred thousand victims of the great earthquake and the nuclear accident and those who are living in temporary housing can have their jobs and livelihoods restored as early as possible.
Suffering continues
This past winter, the disaster areas were hit with snow and cold even more severe than usual. Meager measures at temporary housing units against the cold are depriving the dwellers of sound sleep.
The earthquake has deprived many people of their ability to work. The local fishery industry has been very slow to restart. The extension of unemployment benefits is being denied. More than 10,000 people will face the denial of benefits extension by April.
Social infrastructures, such as medical services and education, have also been seriously affected. The number of elderly people in need of nursing care due to the prolonged evacuation is increasing. The number of residents who were authorized to have nursing care services is 20% greater than last year in the disaster-hit region. Decent living conditions should be restored as soon as possible.
Even a year after the great disaster, victims’ suffering continues in the disaster areas. In opinion polls conducted by the media, 70-80% of respondents say that restoration is not progressing. It is not simply that the damage of the earthquake and tsunami was enormous, but the government measures in the last year were insufficient.
It is absolutely unacceptable that precious lives having survived the quake and tsunami eventually were lost during the evacuation. It is none other than man-made disasters.
Since the disaster broke out, the Japanese Communist Party has made the utmost effort for relief activities in the disaster areas and fund-raising activities nationwide. The JCP made proposals to the government that priority should be given to restoring victims’ livelihoods and businesses. Progress has been made with some improvements in temporary housing, measures against “double loan” issues, and the struggle against the “special fishery zone” program that is intended to benefit financial circles.
Restoring victims’ livelihoods and the disaster areas should not be further delayed. Disaster victims will not be able to return to their familiar localities if they cannot secure permanent houses and jobs due to their prolonged evacuation life. Local communities will be destroyed. It is essential for the government to take responsibility to support victims to rebuild their homes, and support anyone who is willing to restore their businesses and secure jobs.
Resolve to move away from NPP
About 160,000 people were forced to evacuate due to the nuclear accident and to live inside or outside Fukushima Prefecture in temporary shelters. The government must rapidly decontaminate radioactivity, and compensate for the damage at its responsibility to protect the lives, health, and livelihoods of the people. The government must support the victims and at the same time make a prompt decision to move away from nuclear power generation.
The JCP and Akahata uphold the principle that the party and the newspaper go wherever people are suffering. We will keep up the struggle and join forces with people to achieve social justice.
