PM Noda Visits J-Village, #Fukushima I Nuke Plant: "As a Citizen of Japan, I Thank You."

So far, the news is out on his morning visit to J-Village in Naraha-machi, Fukushima, where met with workers who had remained at the plant during the early days of the nuclear accident, and thanked them for their effort.

Why does he bother? Jiji says it's to show people that the Fukushima nuclear accident is still the number one priority for the administration. For what? At this point, I haven't a clue.

From Jiji Tsushin (10/07/2012):

野田首相、福島第１原発を視察＝作業員らを慰労

Prime Minister Noda to visit Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, to thank the workers

　野田佳彦首相は７日、東京電力福島第１原発を視察するため福島県を訪問した。原発事故現場の視察は就任直後の昨年９月以来２度目。先の民主党代表選で再選を果たし、内閣改造で態勢強化を図った首相は、引き続き政権の最重要課題として原発事故対応に取り組む姿勢を示したい考えだ。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is in Fukushima Prefecture on October 7 to visit Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. It will be the second time [for Mr. Noda] to visit the scene of the nuclear accident since September last year, when he became the prime minister. He has been re-elected as the leader of Democratic Party of Japan, and has reshuffled his cabinet to strengthen his position. With the visit, he intends to show that the Fukushima nuclear accident continues to be the first priority for the administration.

　首相はまず、事故処理活動の拠点となっている同県楢葉町の「Ｊヴィレッジ」を訪問。昨年３月の原発事故発生直後、危険を顧みず現場に残って処理に当たった作業員らと面会し、「本当に語り尽くせないご苦労があったと思う。恐怖と過酷な環境の中、奮闘いただいたことに国民の一人として感謝申し上げたい」とねぎらった。

Prime Minister visited the J-Village in Naraha-machi, which has been the staging area for the accident response work. He met with the workers who had remained at the plant despite danger right after the start of the nuclear accident in March last year, and thanked them by saying, "You must have suffered such hardships that you can't even begin to tell us. I would like to thank you, as a citizen of Japan, for your strenuous effort in the middle of fear and harsh environment."

Harsh is an understatement.

I don't know if the quote by Jiji Tsushin is verbatim or abbreviation. I would have liked him to say that and more, as the prime minister of the national government whose official, national policy has been to pursue nuclear energy, instead of as one citizen.

Before he went to J-Village, Noda also met with the policemen patrolling the 20-kilometer radius no-entry zone. According to Yomiuri TV, he thanked them by saying:

「内閣総理大臣として、そして一人の日本国民として、深甚なる敬意と感謝を申し上げます。本当にありがとう」

"As the prime minister, and as a citizen of Japan, I offer my profound respect and appreciation. Thank you very much."

From the words, Mr. Noda seems to appreciate policemen more than the Fuku-I workers.

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