Fukushima Governor Pledges Reconstruction Progress in U.N. Seminar

New York, Oct. 19 (Jiji Press)--Visiting Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori on Wednesday vowed to make further progress in reconstruction of the disaster-hit northeastern Japan prefecture toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. "Over the next four years until the Olympics, we hope to push forward with reconstruction work further," Uchibori said at a seminar at the U.N. Headquarters in front of some 50 people, including diplomats and U.N. officials. At the opening of his speech, Uchibori expressed his appreciation for global support for the prefecture, hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s <9501> Fukushima No. 1 power plant. Uchibori explained the reconstruction situation in the prefecture, by showing data on diminishing radiation levels and noting a decrease in the evacuation area caused by the nuclear disaster. The Fukushima governor said the prefecture will work on nurturing next-generation industries, such as renewable energy and robot engineering, as well as resolving difficult problems such as the decommissioning of Fukushima plant reactors and harmful rumors about local products. Uchibori also said, "Please come and visit us to enjoy Fukushima's hot springs and sake." The governor's presentation "was good" and Fukushima's experience sets a very good example for Zambia, which is tackling poverty, drought and other problems, said Emmanuel Kaunda, an official of the African country's government dispatched to the United Nations. Also on Wednesday, the prefecture and nine sake brewers held a business meeting in New York in hopes of building new sales channels for local sake. Fukushima is one of the most famous sake production centers in Japan. The brewers hope to boost the name recognition of Fukushima's sake in the United States, where Japanese sake products are popular. The local sake industry "has improved its techniques through exchanges among producers," a prefectural official said. Fukushima sake industry group head Inokichi Shinjo said that various climates within the prefecture, from the mountain area in Aizu to the coastal city of Iwaki, produce sake with a diverse range of tastes. He also showed confidence in the safety of local products, as they go through strict checks. END