Yukio Edano Stating the Obvious: "Cost of Decontaminating Fukushima May Be Borne by Japanese Citizens"

The so-called "decontamination" being carried out on an experimental basis by the national government in part of Fukushima Prefecture such as Iitate-mura, Namie-machi and inside the 20-kilometer radius "no-entry zone" has so far turned out to be a "dud" when it comes to actually "decontaminate", though it's been a great business for the national general contractors who get the cushy government contracts.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano says the government's effort to decontaminate Fukushima is so essential to the well-being of the residents in Fukushima that the rest of Japan may be asked to pitch in. As if it's a novel idea. Under the current so-called plan, all decontamination cost will be billed to TEPCO. TEPCO, in turn, will ask the national government for the money to pay the bill from the national government. The national government, then, will increase tax, issue special bond, whatever it can do to take money from the Japanese citizens and residents of Japan, and give it to TEPCO so that TEPCO can pay the government. It will be much easier in July when TEPCO is "effectively" nationalized anyway.

From Jiji Tsushin (5/11/2012):

除染費用、国民負担の可能性も＝枝野経産相

Cost of decontamination may be borne by the citizens, says Minister of Economy Edano

　枝野幸男経済産業相は１１日の閣議後記者会見で、東京電力福島第１原発事故で飛散した放射性物質の除染に関して「福島の住民の安心という観点から作業を進めることは政府の責任だ」と述べた上で、その費用の一部を国が負担することについて「将来の可能性は否定しない」と語った。

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano said during the press conference after the cabinet meeting on May 11 that the decontamination of radioactive materials dispersed by the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant accident "is the responsibility of the national government, from the viewpoint of making the residents in Fukushima Prefecture feel safe". Regarding part of the cost of decontamination to be borne by the national government, he said "I don't say it won't happen in the future".

Mr. Edano is a lawyer by training.

Trillions of yen to waste, so that the Fukushima residents can feel safe. That's very generous, isn't it?

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