Abe meets victims of 2004 Niigata quake

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday visited Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, where a powerful earthquake hit in October 2004, with some of its victims still forced to live in temporary housing after two years and four months.

"I understand that you are having a hard time in spending a third winter in temporary housing," Abe told the victims. "We will do our best so that you can celebrate the next New Year holidays at own home." After hearing from the people that a major difficulty they face is that many of them need to frequently take out new bank loans on top of existing ones when building or repairing homes, Abe said the government should help them to find sources of income.