Japanese Prime Minister Says Government Shares Blame for Nuclear Disaster

Leigh
Posting #2
Leaders
Japanese Prime Minister Says Government Shares Blame for Nuclear Disaster
Hiroko Tabuchi
www.nytimes.com
March 3, 2012
500 Words

Main Ideas:
The new prime minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda, talked about the devastating nuclear power plant disaster that happened to Fukishima Daiichi, on March 11th 2011. He acknowledge that the government had a fault in not making sure that the reactors could withstand earthquakes and tsunami.Currently 2 of Japan's 54 reactors are operating. The local communities refuse to have the other's operating. To help insure the Japanese people the government has decided to create a stress test. The stress test will put the reactors through earthquakes and tsunami much like the one that hit Fukishima Daiichi. Naoto Kan was the prime minister of Japan when the disaster happened. Mr. Kan wanted to phase out of using nuclear power plants as an energy source. Mr. Noda does not agree. Mr. Noda who took over prime minister in September, agreed that the government did not put in enough effort into rebuilding the coastal communities that were destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami. The government finally set up a ministry in reconstructive efforts, 11 months after the disaster. One problem Mr. Noda is facing the the local communities deciding to rebuild, or to move to higher ground.

Conclusion:
Mr. Nado should put all of the governments effort into rebuilding the areas devastated by the disaster. Even though Japan needs to start putting their other reactors in operation, i think he should first gain the trust of the communities that surround the power plant. He should put more reconstructive projects of the communities that were destroyed.