 "Japan to spend $2.85 bln in decontamination efforts")
Tokyo: The Japanese government said today it will spend about USD 2.85 billion to clean up residential areas contaminated by radiation following the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said the government will stick to its initial plan to build a facility to store the radiation-tainted soil and rubble from Fukushima Prefecture before taking it to a final disposal site.
Fujimura, the top government spokesman, said that the government will discuss the construction of such a storage facility further with local governments in the prefecture, with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda eager to explain the matter to residents in the area.
When Noda’’s predecessor, Naoto Kan, last month suddenly unveiled to Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato the idea of setting up such a facility during their talks in the city of Fukushima, the governor expressed displeasure, saying, “It’s an abrupt proposal. We are very much baffled.”
A government official said that the USD 2.84 billion comes from the USD 10.34 billion set aside in the second extra budget for fiscal 2011 as reserve funds for spending related to restoration efforts from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
PTI
 "Why South Korea, Japan and China can't convince citizens to have children")
 "Why Japan wants more men to take paternity leave")
 "Japan: Population crisis deepens as birth rate hits record low")
 "How Japan’s first-ever wooden satellite will be a game-changer")
 "Why South Korea, Japan and China can't convince citizens to have children")
 "Why Japan wants more men to take paternity leave")
 "Japan: Population crisis deepens as birth rate hits record low")
 "How Japan’s first-ever wooden satellite will be a game-changer")