Drainage work gets underway at the earthquake-struck Yamakoshi village in Niigata Prefecture.

Tadayoshi Nagashima told a group of villagers living in temporary housing units in the neighboring city of Nagaoka, "The amount has not been finalized, but we need about ¥100 billion to fully reconstruct our village."

The mayor said the sum is based on estimates for such costs as landslide-prevention measures and reconstructing roads and farmlands. He said the amount may vary from the estimated costs because a damage survey has not been completed.

The village's annual budget is only ¥3.5 billion.

"We cannot restore the village by ourselves. Our wish to return to the community will involve the prefecture and the central government," Nagashima said while calling on the villagers to join forces for rehabilitation.

Yamakoshi, home to some 2,200 people, has been empty of residents since the village government issued an evacuation order Oct. 25, two days after the quakes hit.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 15, 2005
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