I want to learn about: Japan's domestic politics, re: 3-11 and REBUILDING

[nikto]

I have read generally that Japan's domestic politics are "sluggish" in its response to
needs of The People, rather like the US.

But after 3-11, the rebuild after the disaster may give Japan a "silver lining",
in terms of the economic stimulus provided by the money$ put into the economy.

This could, it would seem, provide jobs and income for years, for people who lost so much in the disaster.

Also, in tsunami-struck areas, are there any plans for new, TALLER, BIGGER tsunami walls
to protect harbor cities, in areas where local geography makes it feasible?

The walls that failed, failed ONLY because they were overtopped by the tsunami.
In Fudai, a 60 or 65-foot seawall SUCCEEDED in holding back the tsunami and saving the town.

So definitely, seawalls can work, if they are tall and massive enough (i.e. if people are
willing to spend sufficient tax money).

Is there a national discussion going on in Japan about this?

Seems to me like Japan could use a little Socialism (gov't spending and support),
to come back and rebuild from the disaster.

Is there resistance to this in Japan?

Are the old-guard "Elites" in Japan willing to loosen the budget-strings and really help The People?

Or, like in America (with Katrina), are Japanese Elites just using the disaster to reward cronies with
contract$, and using the conditions created by the disaster to gentrify and take over certain prime chosen areas?

What kind of discussions are going on in Japan now regarding all this?

Is the Gov't playing "miser", or unfairly exploiting The Peoples' needs?

It is hard for me find much of this out with just the conventional news sources I have.

Any responses or explanations
to educate me on this would be greatly appreciated.

And any frank, "inside" info sources on potentially controversial Japanese issues like this one
that are suggested or linked-to, would be appreciated as well.

Thank you.

[Art_from_Ark]

1. As someone who is living in Japan

and is a resident of an official disaster area (only earthquake and to a much lesser extent radiation disaster, not tsunami), I can easily find Japanese sources about efforts to rebuild. For example, here is some information about reconstruction/restoration efforts in two of the hardest-hit towns, Minami Sanriku and Kesennuma:

http://blog.goo.ne.jp/akazara_boy

[nikto]

2. Thank you!

I've been wondering if there was any impetus in Japan to build massive Holland-style
dykes in areas where feasible to protect against future tsunami and allow people to live in the flat areas
near the sea with impunity.

It can be done if the will is there.
Modern Japanese engineering is second-to-none in the world.

They can do it if they want to (and if their elites permit it).



I'll be looking for references to that issue, among other topics.

[Art_from_Ark]

3. Here's a PDF file about the progress of various restoration projects in Kesennuma.

Projects include road and bridge restoration, sea wall and river levee construction, and port-related works. It is from a year ago, so more progress had probably been made in the meantime.

http://www.pref.miyagi.jp/uploaded/attachment/119742.pdf