Following the passage of consumption tax bills in the House of Representatives on June 26, residents in areas most affected by the earthquake and nuclear disasters expressed anger and dissatisfaction with the discussions amongst politicians, saying their living conditions were not given enough consideration.

At a temporary housing unit in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, a 66-year-old man complains, "Even if they tell us (the consumption tax raise) is for improving social security, for people getting by on a daily basis it is like being told to die." He added, "The political group opposing the consumption tax looks more like it is working for its own merit than acting from the viewpoint of society's weak."

From around 30 years ago the man worked as a pipe installer at the Fukushima No. 1 and 2 Nuclear Power Plants and the Hirono Thermal Power Plant, but because of the nuclear disaster he lost his job. Immediately after the catastrophe he moved with his family to the adjacent village of Kawamura. His wife and child, fearing radiation, moved to Saitama Prefecture, where relatives lived. The man stayed behind, though, as he had work at the thermal plant. In June of last year, he moved to the temporary housing unit where he now lives.