Fukushima students tour PM's office, Abe makes surprise appearance

Senin, 22 April 2013 01:04

(TOKYO-Kyodo) Twelve junior high school students from Fukushima Prefecture got a special tour of the premier's office and adjacent residence in Tokyo on Saturday, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe making a surprise appearance.

The students attending junior high schools in Minamisoma in the northeastern prefecture, affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami and the ensuing nuclear disaster, were invited on the tour by the prime minister's office and a nonprofit organization supporting children in the city.

While the students were not informed beforehand that the Japanese leader would take part in the program, Abe suddenly emerged and told them he will do his utmost for the reconstruction of northeastern Japan.

"I hope you will work hard to realize your dreams and to rebuild your hometown," Abe said, posing for photographs with the students.

Five of the students on the tour are still taking shelter in places such as temporary housing, according to organizers who said the tour was aimed at encouraging survivors of the 2011 disasters.