So does the world

September 8, 2013

Fukushima wants govt. to do more

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130908_19.html

Fukushima residents affected by the nuclear crisis have expressed both joy and discontent over the choice of Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The nuclear disaster in March 2011 is still keeping nearly 150,000 people away from their homes due to a high level of radiation.

A woman in her 40s in Fukushima City said it is good that Tokyo won the Olympic bid. But she said she felt unhappy at hearing someone say "The Olympics site is far from Fukushima" to explain Tokyo's safety.

She is worried about repeated reports of radioactive waste water leaks from the crippled nuclear plant.

She stressed that the government should solve the issue as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the international community that the incident is under control.

Another woman in her 70s said she is very excited about Tokyo's hosting the Games and she wants to be at the opening ceremony with her family members. She lives apart from the rest of her family in a temporary shelter after being evacuated from a town near the plant.

A man in his 60s said he doesn't think people have a clear image of what will happen in the next 7 years given current circumstances. He said the government should address the nuclear crisis responsibly and try to improve evacuees' lives first rather than prepare for the Olympics.

Sep. 8, 2013 - Updated 05:25 UTC