Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami have created an opportunity to address structural problems which undermined the economy for two decades, according to Naoto Kan, Japan’s prime minister.
In his first interview since the March 11 disaster, Mr Kan defended his handling of the resulting crisis at a crippled nuclear power plant and dismissed criticism that his government is moving too slowly to rebuild the battered north-east coast. The prime minister was speaking ahead of his departure for a series of G8 meetings and summits in Europe, where he will seek to reassure international leaders that Tokyo is on track to stabilise the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Although he faces a divided parliament and open revolt among influential members of his ruling Democratic party, Mr Kan insisted he would not be satisfied merely to resolve the nuclear crisis and rebuild destroyed coastal settlements.