Lastly, It’s Money

Minister of Environment, Nobuteru Ishihara, a son of ultra-conservative legislator and former Governor of Tokyo, came under fire of the opposite parties. He indicated reporters that money would be the key to the final solution of discussion over location of intermediate storage facility for nuclear debris produced by the accident of First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. It was recognized not only as his ordinary gaffe, but reflection of lack of seriousness Shinzo Abe administration should hold on reconstruction from the great earthquake three years ago.

Ishihara explained that he had meant that problems related to money, such as compensation or budget for building the facility, would be remained at the final part of discussion between the national government and sufferers in Fukushima area. He apologized of his expression he used which might hurt the sentiment of people in Fukushima. They had actually been disappointed to be seen as selling their hometown to the government.

Ishihara has been known as a man of loose tongue. Two years ago, he asserted that nuclear debris needed to be brought to the site of broken nuclear power plant, calling the site “satian,” which was the name of facilities where a cult group, Aum Shinrikyo, produced poisonous sarin gas.

Liberal Democratic Party harshly denounced Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Yoshio Hachiro, when he joked to reporters that he would rub radioactive materials on his clothes after visiting Fukushima region. Ishihara demanded to make clear of responsibility of Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, to have appointed Hachiro on that post. Now, Ishihara became a targeted minister who would not care about sentiment of sufferers.

It is undeniable that money will be the key to the solution. But the real problem was Ishihara’s expression reminded people all over Japan of government’s sober attitude to the sufferers. The government had tried to persuade people in condition with that the facility would be temporary one and permanent facility would be built in other place out of Fukushima. However, it had never guaranteed that with reliable scenario. People in Fukushima had been furious about that irresponsible attitude of the government.

It is unlikely that Ishihara will step down as the minister with the gaffe, simply because leading party can easily dismiss with their majority in both Houses. But his careless speech became a wake up call for Abe administration, which has not implemented its slogan of upholding reconstruction policy with the highest priority.