Disaster management minister Jun Matsumoto said Dec. 30 the government will provide up to ¥3 million to each of the 144 households affected by a massive fire in Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture.
"We will make all-out efforts so (those affected) can get their lives back in order as soon as possible," Matsumoto told the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's committee on natural disasters.
Police believe the Dec. 22 blaze started at a ramen restaurant, whose owner said he had left a stove burner unattended. (Kyodo)
松本純防災担当相は12月30日、新潟県糸魚川市中心部での大火で住宅を焼失した人に対し、被災者生活再建支援法に基づく措置として最大300万円を支給すると表明した。
The Japan Times ST: January 13, 2017