New minister tours Fukushima plant

Monday, 8 September 2014
Obuchi at Fukushima 48In her first week as Japan's minister for trade and industry, Yuko Obuchi has visited the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant to offer her support to workers there.

In her first week as Japan's minister for trade and industry, Yuko Obuchi has visited the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant to offer her support to workers there.

Obuchi at Fukushima 460 (Tepco)
Yuko Obuchi speaks to workers at Fukushima Daiichi (Image: Tepco)

Obuchi, who took charge of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on 3 September, addressed workers at the plant before touring the site.

She expressed gratitude for the 'devoted work' that they have carried out, saying, 'The country must together tackle the decommissioning work as well as measures to control contaminated water, at any cost, for Japan's future and Fukushima's reconstruction.'

Obuchi has most recently held the position of chairperson of the Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Previously, she has served in key government posts including senior vice minister of finance and minister of state for gender equality and social affairs. Her father is former Japanese prime minister Keizo Obuchi.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News

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