# Column Support toward revitalization of the shipbuilding industry

In various parts of the Tohoku region, there are many small and medium enterprises engaged in building, repairing, and servicing different types of fishing vessels used in the region, and in collaboration with such related industries as maintenance and electric contractors, they have supported the progress of the local fishery, a key industry of the region.

The Disaster caused devastating damage to all the 37 shipbuilders and many of the related industries situated along the Pacific Coast in the region. More than 20,000 vessels were swept away or broken, and for early revitalization of local fishery operators severely afflicted, recovery and reconstruction of the shipbuilding industry in the region is more vital than anything else.

Therefore, MLIT, in cooperation with such related ministries and agencies as the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, provided

Launching ceremony at a restored shipyard

assistance through the use of “supporting projects for recovery and reconstruction (grouping) of small and medium enterprises” and assistance in procurement of supplies and machines required for early recovery of equipment. Such efforts have helped put 33 out of the 37 shipbuilders back in operation- albeit on a limited basis- as of February 2012. Also, with a view to revitalizing shipbuilders concentrated in the region and further expanding them in the future, MLT provided such additional assistance as making plans for common and efficient use of facilities and execution of “the project to facilitate the consolidation and upgrading of the local shipbuilding industry” through seminars for improving relevant skills, etc.

## 7 Reconstruction and revitalization of Fukushima

MLIT is in the process of promoting reconstruction and revitalization of Fukushima Prefecture damaged seriously and extensively by the nuclear power plant accident. As of May 2012, evacuees who are staying within Fukushima Prefecture total approximately 96,000 and those who have moved out of the Prefecture total approximately 62,000, making the grand total of people still forced to live as evacuees approximately 159,000. As the demarcation of the caution zone is to be reviewed in the future, it will be necessary for MLIT to make unified studies within the national government on such critical issues as decontamination and improvement of infrastructures, and coordinate with municipalities in order to facilitate evacuees to return home.

Particularly, regarding the Joban Expressway in the caution zone, a joint team of the ministries and agencies and the East Nippon Expressway Company for developing measures against radiation has been established for early restoration and resumption of service. In areas where the radiation does is 20 mSv or lower/year, the reconstruction project was started in March 2012 and in areas where the dose is 20 mSv or higher/year, the reconstruction project and decontamination will be started considering the results of the decontamination model project launched by the Ministry of the Environment in March 2012.

Also, based on the “Act on Special Measures for Reconstruction of Fukushima” enacted on March 31, 2012, the national government is set to develop reconstruction and revitalization plans for the areas including the removal of evacuation orders, undertake on behalf of the Prefecture projects to build public facilities (roads, rivers, etc.) and execute projects to improve people’s living environment aimed at recovering functions of public facilities through cleaning them, etc.

In addition, the Act will secure stable places for evacuees to live with special exceptions on qualification to enter public housings.

Chart. 40 Progress of decontamination and reopening of the Joban Expressway in the caution zone