Society

Suga visits disaster-hit Miyagi, Iwate prefectures

Dec 10 (NHK) - Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has visited the northeastern prefectures of Miyagi and Iwate to see their recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Suga visited the two prefectures on Thursday for the first time since he became prime minister in September.

In Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, Suga visited the site of a memorial park that is being constructed in an area where a single pine tree survived the tsunami. The prime minister left flowers for the victims of the disaster.

He then visited the Taro district in Miyako City, which suffered extensive damage from the tsunami. Suga viewed the area from a seawall that was rebuilt on elevated land. He also visited a structure that has been preserved as a reminder of the disaster.

Suga told reporters that he feels the reconstruction work has made significant progress, thanks to the efforts of all the people involved.

He said the reconstruction work is in its final stage nearly 10 years after the disaster, and his Cabinet will do all it can to help resolve the remaining issues.

The prime minister was asked when the government will decide how to dispose of the wastewater containing tritium and other radioactive substances that is being stored at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Suga said the matter is extremely important, and he believes the government should not defer making the decision any longer.

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