Newly appointed reconstruction minister Wataru Takeshita visited Fukushima Prefecture on Thursday, as evacuees from the triple core meltdown in 2011 raised concerns about his selection for the post.
"Reconstruction cannot be over in five years (of funding)," said Takeshita, vowing to continue supporting the meltdown-hit prefecture's recovery after the official government reconstruction program ends at the end of fiscal 2015.
"I will put my life on the line to get money for this," Takeshita told reporters after meeting with Fukushima Gov. Yuhei Sato.