You Get out of Here

If a journalist consistently asks questions to Minister in a Cabinet, he or she will be blamed as rude and excluded from the press corp. That was proved by Minister for Reconstruction, Masashiro Imamura, on Tuesday. Imamura scolded a journalist, who asked about responsibility of national government on the evacuation of voluntary evacuees around Japan, as disrespectful and said “Get out of here.” This is what Japanese version of democracy all about.

The journalist asked how Imamura felt about governmental responsibility on the policy that ended financial support for the rent of evacuees from uneasiness with possible negative impact of radiation emitted from broken reactors in First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Imamura explained standpoint of national government that it would be supporting Fukushima Prefectural government to deal with the issue. It sounded as if national government was in the secondary position to support the evacuees. To the question about the measures for not returning back to their hometown, Imamura told that the evacuees would be responsible for themselves.

After some exchanges over responsibility of national government, Imamura got emotional in front of the reporters.

Journalist: No money is paid for voluntary evacuees.

Imamura: This is not the place for dispute.

Journalist: Please answer responsibly.

Imamura: I am doing responsibly. What a rude argument are you making? This is an official place.

Journalist: Yes.

Imamura: What are you saying was irresponsible? Pull back your statement.

Journalist: I don’t do that.

Imamura: Do it. Get out of here. Never come back again. I do not tolerate slander or defamation.

Journalist: You are confusing the evacuees.

Imamura: Shut up!

The evacuees were deeply disappointed with that embarrassing exchange. “My house in Tamura City is still in a heavy contamination and unfit for living. Is the Minister really know about the situation?” told an old woman to news reporter. Even a staff of Reconstruction Agency admitted that Imamura’s argument of self-responsibility was too cold to the evacuees.

The opposite parties accused Imamura as unsuitable for Minister for Reconstruction. “How much did he harm sentiment of the evacuees? I’m in anger,” said a member of House of Councillors with Democratic Party, Katsuya Shimba. All the opposite parties required resignation of Imamura. Although Cabinet leaders tried to protect Imamura, distrust of the evacuees will not easily be removed.