For each

since 1984, all in-and outgoing members of the government in Japan to disclose their private financial circumstances, “to win public confidence,” as they say. Noda and his wife have owned just 17.7 million yen.

No shares, no golfer

As the published government report shows, belongs to the taxable property of Premier Noda a 2-storey detached house with a value of 10.56 million yen.

Plus additional 3 private cars – a Nissan, a Honda and a Toyota. The former finance minister has no shares and is not a member of a golf club. A rarity in the political and economic power circles of Japan.

“arms” Cabinet members

But his cabinet members have comparatively modest private finances. The average wealth of the entire government is 50 million yen. That's still a lot more than Nodas possession.

The richest among them

Kenji Yamaoka, Minister of Public Security has a capacity of 254 million yen. Yamaoka is also the only Cabinet member who has 100 million yen.

The poorest of the way, is the 40-year Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, with 7.42 million yen. That does not bother him at all, Hosono said so. As long as he could live on it, he was satisfied.

Rich predecessor

Noda comes from a modest background. He inherited was the youngest of six siblings, he has nothing. That was with his predecessors, who came from a political dynasty often quite different.

For example,

was party colleague and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Bridgestone founder Ishibashi Shojioro – and thus filthy rich

.As with the Loach had

, Premier Noda also for this case the correct answer. He had not realized that he was equal to the Premier with the lowest value since 1984, he said at a news conference, adding with a side-swipe at his predecessor: “It happens to the money that I'm the sole earner. You can not do anything. “

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a military parade, skydivers and a birthday cake celebrating Taiwan on 10 October 100 years Republic of China – that republic, which involved at its inception over China, and is now confined to the island of Taiwan, in terms of area is still slightly smaller than Switzerland. In Taiwan you write officially the year 100, namely the year 100 of the Republic of China. After the rebellion of 10 October 1911, led to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, the Republic of China on 1 January 1912 was officially established.

After the Second World War belonged to Taiwan, this had to cede the island to Japan after China. In 1949, the Government of the Republic of China under Chiang Kai-Shek against Mao Zedong's Communists won, Chiang fled with the remaining troops on the island of Taiwan, where he continued to rule his republic by military law.

Taiwan's sovereignty

From the former dictatorship has now become an Asian model of democracy – but until now, Taiwan is internationally recognized and hardly even a member of the United Nations. Only 23 countries have maintained diplomatic relations with the Republic of China – most of them poor, countries in Central America, Africa and the Pacific. The diplomatic allies of Taiwan in return for development aid.

Most countries recognize the other hand, the People's Republic of China, and thus the “one China” principle – namely that Taiwan is a part of China. For Beijing, there is no officially Republic of China since 1949 more. Taiwan sees it as a renegade province that it will also force by force if necessary to a union. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Defense, China has sent over 1,000 missiles at Taiwan.

In his address to the National Taiwan said President Ma Ying-jeou, that China should respect the sovereignty of Taiwan. Beijing must recognize that the Republic of China exists, cites the Taiwanese news agency CNA President Ma.

China calls for reunification on

Also for the People's Republic of China, the 10th October a special significance, since the uprisings against imperial China for 100 years, the fall brought. Chinese President Hu Jintao praised in a speech transmitted by CCTV in the Great Hall of the People, Sun Yat-sen, the father of modern China and the first President of the Republic of China. At the same time Taiwan Hu called for more dialogue and a peaceful reunification with the mainland.

Taiwan's President Ma said in his speech, however, that the Chinese government to the ideals of Sun Yat-sen should remember, that a free, democratic state is distributed equally in the prosperity.

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The Mainichi Shimbun has

spotted him on the famous 1,200-kilometer pilgrimage on the island of Shikoku. Equipped with a pilgrim's staff, apparel and hat and accompanied by security police, he was on 3 October a prayer stop at Nankobo Temple. It is the 55th of the 88 temples, a pilgrimage in honor of the monk Kukai, the founder of the Buddhist Shingon school visits.

Under different circumstances

Naoto Kan is not the first time on the road. Already in July 2004 when he failed to resign after a scandal involving payments into the pension system as the chairman of the Democratic Party had, he was remorseful and with a shaved head in the popular pilgrimage attack. For the entire 1200 km, there was not enough, however. In July 2008 he took the route to the Enmyoji Temple, the 53th Station, continued.

Now, three years later, he has opened a new stage. This time, the signs are quite different. As a former prime minister, who had to cope with a disaster of the century, he has only one wish: the reconstruction after the massive destruction caused by the earthquake, the tsunami and the nuclear power plant accident. His prayers were with the victims of the disaster, as he told the Japanese media on his walk.

white instead of blue

About politics, he did not really speak. His successor, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, that he wished all the best. Through its manifestation as a prime minister that Japan must withdraw from the nuclear policy, he said only: “At the end of the population will have to decide about it.”

Naoto Kan's prayer

response seems to be effective. “He makes a lot more refreshing impression than on television,” the Asahi Shimbun quoted a 63-year-old passerby. “He has a hard time behind him.” Until the 9th October, the former prime minister to move from temple to temple. The blue uniforms crisis has given the white pilgrim dress. The problems in Japan, now have to solve another. Naoto Kan, it may be pretty.

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President Ma Ying-jeou prides itself on armaments shopping

Ma said he had to spend more money for arms purchases, as his two predecessors. In his reign, he came to almost 18 billion U.S. dollars. The armament of the F-16 aircraft will cost 5.58 billion Taiwan dollars, reports the Chinese-language daily newspaper United Daily News. Among other things, the new aircraft with radar and weapons systems are equipped, are also included pilot training and spare parts

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Ma is accused by the opposition, that because of its China-friendly policies, Taiwan will come to shortly. Mas since taking office, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait closer. Sun allowed Chinese tourists visit the island, there are activities such as direct flights and trade framework agreement.

military imbalance in favor of China

Nevertheless, Beijing, which sees Taiwan as a renegade province still, more than 1,000 missiles aimed at the island. A report by the U.S. Department of Defense in August, it is said that the military imbalance in favor of increasing China's failure.

Although the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan diplomatically, they have committed in the Taiwan Relations Act, to support Taiwan in its self-defense. China itself has expressly reserved the use of force if Taiwan is not ready for a long term association.

new fighter jets to Taiwan, hoping

Taiwan government actually wanted to buy the modern fighter jets of the type F-16 C / D of the United States. U.S. Rep. Taiwan also supported projects and called on their government to sell Taiwan the 66 combat aircraft.

If one wanted to go in Obama's administration but not then, and for the time being waived on consent. Instead, we upgraded to the domestic fleet of 145 older F-16A / B aircraft. Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu told the Taiwanese media, the upgraded F-16A / B aircraft were about 80 percent of the power of the newer F-16C / D aircraft.

reputation for good relations

The former vice chairman of Taiwan's air force, Lee Kui-fa said in an interview with Radio Taiwan International, that the purchase would not be worth anyway for Taiwan, and mainland China would only unnecessarily angry. If you want lasting peace, good relations between Washington, Beijing and Taipei are much more important.

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It was only a question of how safe the purchased fireworks from the Fukushima prefecture were. They could possibly be contaminated, was the concern. “Do you have information on security guarantees from the fireworks of Fukushima?” The Yomiuri Shimbun quoted a letter from a concerned resident from Nisshin.

The waiver

The organizing committee, which also houses the city government is represented, finally decided to forego the use of fireworks of Fukushima. Officially it was said that the company responsible for the fireworks possessed no dosimeter to verify the acquired products for radiation. The mayor of Nisshin, Kozo Hagino regretted this decision, but also stressed that one must take seriously the concerns of their citizens.

Had supplied the fireworks are debating a small business from Kawamata town, which is outside the exclusion zone around the damaged nuclear plant. The decision is extremely regrettable from Nisshin, said a concerned producer against TBS News. Embarrassingly, a resident of the city called the Nisshin decision banning the fireworks committee. “If we already hold a firework in the name of reconstruction, but we can not prohibit such a thing.”

A recurring theme

Backing receive such votes of radiation specialist Kunihide Nishizawa of Nagoya University. “Even if the fireworks show would be entertaining a higher radiation, it would be a very small amount of radioactivity,” says Nishizawa against TBS News. In addition, the fireworks would not be such as food by the body. He did not think so at a risk to humans or the environment.

The concern about radiation in Japan is an ongoing topic. Back in April would prevent citizens from Kawasaki under all circumstances, that their city would dispose of waste from Fukushima.

Also for people from the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster we to social stress. Much like after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they threaten to be stigmatized. It is an ominous development that we have to avoid at all costs.

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The small accumulation of nuclear activists, who had started their first protest events in Tokyo's Koenji district is a true movement emerged. And it gets more and more prominent support. Kenzaburo Oe, Nobel Prize winner for literature, the Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taro Yamamoto, actor and writer Keiko Ochiai also were present.

The words of Kenzaburo Oe

“Nuclear power is accompanied by devastation and casualties,” the Asahi Shimbun quoted the speech of Kenzaburo Oe in Meiji Park, “It is a necessity that we make the decision makers in the political parties and trade associations realize that we are against the our nuclear power resist. “

The Nobel laureate

further mentioned that Italy had turned into a referendum against the construction of nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, in Japan there are still forces that the nuclear power plants to continue operating.

Victims of Fukushima

Among the protesters was also

Ruiko Muto by a citizens' movement in Fukushima, which is fighting against nuclear energy. She describes herself as Hibakusha, as atom bomb victims, a term that is used for the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“The government is doing nothing to protect the population. The Fukushima accident is still not “too late, she complained. People in the Fukushima Prefecture have to live with a catastrophe that influences even the everyday decisions. Questions do not flee like “Escape is not it? Eat or not eat? “Would the people since the 11th Make every day in March. It is therefore up to each individual in Japan, a change in today's nuclear policy has been to bring about.

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52.5 percent indicated that they remain true in the area, but want to build their new home on a hill, not to live in constant fear of a tsunami need. Only 24.7 percent of respondents want to re-settle in the coastal area, it provided increased protection measures are built against tsunamis.

Renewed fears of a tsunami is well founded. The Tohoku region is traditionally seen as vulnerable and is seen historically plagued about every 400 years by a tsunami.

The reality looks different

Nevertheless, political support in the resettlement areas of higher low. A poll by Mainichi Shimbun put under the mayors of the 42 affected communities of the day: Only 12 of the 42 mayors plan to rebuild their communities away from risky coastal areas to safe ground. A result that contrasts with earlier surveys.

Yet the end of May 25 mayors were planning a resettlement strategy. Today show local politicians disenchanted – to relocate to safer ground, they lack the necessary funds. Only four communities could be tied to a reconstruction strategy.

No support for Tokyo

When the government on July 29 adopted the long-awaited reconstruction plan was the big disappointment: the possibility of a shift to higher field of the communities and also found no mention of any funding strategies, the plan was silent from

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The lack of support from Tokyo, the communities from an almost impossible financial and administrative challenge. For many people migrate to other parts of the country because they fear for their health or suffer from the lack of perspective. Those who have remained have lost a large portion of their property.

No relief in sight

Tax money, the municipalities are so little, they are completely dependent on aid from Tokyo. The inauguration of Yoshihiko Noda promises no improvement. The new prime minister wants to make the financial benefits of tax increases and austerity measures depends. A speedy implementation of the resettlement plans is against this background is not in sight.

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Just a day later

Hachiro said at a press conference in Tokyo on his impressions from the evacuated villages around the nuclear power plant in Fukushima. “In the region surrounding the nuclear power plant was not a soul to be seen. This is truly “a city of death, the economy minister said candidly.

Both statements came from the victims of the disaster to no good. They talked about a insensitive comment by a government member. The media pressure increased, especially as Minister Hachiro already had a few days earlier indicated to Japan's energy future, a nuclear phase-out unintentionally without having this really meant.

withdrawal after 8 days

For the young government

Noda was the hubbub eventually be overkill. Hachiro Yoshiro came back after 8 days in office. He apologized for having violated the affected evacuees in the region with his statement. The scene with the journalist he did not remember anymore. The Japanese people may hear any case, no radiation joke of a government that desperately needs to win back just at this sensitive topic among the lost trust Naoto Kan.

For the new prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda is the first resignation of a cabinet member a severe setback. It began to be very promising start. About 60 percent approval he received in various polls. This goodwill but already seems to be depleted after 8 days.

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Is currently according to the Mainichi Shimbun, officially the construction of 12 new reactors planned. But no project has really progressed since the disaster in Fukushima. Too great is the resistance in the population. Consequently, the competent prefecture governments are reluctant to support the projects.

Kaminoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture residents for 30 years trying to prevent the construction of a nuclear power plant, showing how the New York Times in an impressive report. After the disaster of Fukushima has now also the governor of the prefecture on the side of the defeated enemy. The central government in Tokyo to finally formulate a clear nuclear policy and the associated safety measures, it is called now by various local governments.

reduction instead of increase

Minister Hachiro confirmed at the press conference that it would be “difficult”, new construction projects for reactors, as implemented, for example, the NPP Kaminoseki, ever. “Public opinion in general tends to reduce as to increase,” he explained his remarks.

After the cabinet meeting was forced to clarify Hachiro. Because ever had indicated with former prime minister Naoto Kan an executive politician and a nuclear phase can be corrected later. “I have put myself on the logical point of Premier Nodas remark. This does not mean that I as Minister of Economy only one conclusion from this draw, “according to the Nikkei Shimbun said Hachiro Yoshio for his zero-nuclear statement.

Ambiguous statements by Minister Hachiro show how hard the Japanese policy is currently doing with a clear nuclear policy. The concerns of the population, the open question of energy security and the interests of the nuclear lobby the Government seem to hold a clear decision. Dear lets you “check”. In this sense, the MOEA has now launched a commission that will be later this month to deal with the medium-and long-term energy policy of the country.

Only 11 reactors in operation

Is clear only that Premier Noda is willing to give the green light for the operation of the reactors currently shut down, except where the associated stress test and an additional investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency was positive. The initial results of stress tests will be announced later this month. Because of the disaster in Fukushima and the regular maintenance work is now only 11 of 54 reactors in operation. If no decision in the next few months, until spring of next year all of the reactors could have been taken offline. This he did not want it but can occur, Hachiro said in a television interview.

The Tokyo government will, however, also seek the consent of the local authorities for a possible restart of the reactors. It is doubtful, however, agree that the local authorities of a recovery, if Tokyo is unable to formulate a clear nuclear policy for the future.

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If

bring the current stress test security issues to light and the local governments refuse her permission to re-up of the reactors could, in Japan already in spring 2012, Japan no longer be the only nuclear power plant in operation.

The new prime minister wants

Yoshihiko Noda but not let it get that far. “The river is the lifeline of the economy, it is the basis for the life of our country,” he said at his inauguration in front of the media. If the stress test is successful, he would order the re-commissioning of the reactors. The nuclear phase is a long-term project, it said further. In the end, let the central government in Tokyo alone, the nuclear power plants start up again.

talks with Vietnam

Resistance in the domestic and the attached security doubts hinder but not prevent Japan to export nuclear technology to the domestic manufacturers Hitachi, Toshiba and Mitsubishi. This week in Tokyo received a delegation from Vietnam to negotiate the sale of nuclear power plants in Vietnam. Already in October 2010, the two governments agreed to cooperate in the construction of nuclear power plants in the emerging Southeast Asian country.

Talks came after the disaster, but to a halt. But on 5 August decided by the then Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who still actively promoted the long-term withdrawal of Japan from nuclear power, the continuation of the export of nuclear technology.

The big plans in Hanoi

Vietnam wants to build by 2030 about eight nuclear power plants, despite major security concerns. The country has until now hardly nuclear experts. In addition, there are also land in Vietnam coast, a tsunami and earthquake risk, as a study of the Vietnamese government found. Japan hopes for a nuclear involvement in Vietnam. The technology, training and financing of this project is to help with the Japan Bank of International Cooperation come about.

We have emphasized

absolute confidence in Japan's nuclear technology, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh to the Mainichi Shimbun. “The nuclear crisis is caused by an unexpected tsunami.” Japan will learn from this crisis, however, the right conclusions. Even with Turkey, there are similar plans. But nothing is decided yet. The Lower House has not yet approved the agreement with Vietnam. A decision has been postponed until the autumn.

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