Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Wednesday the administration is willing to consider buying out residential land hit by the March 11 tsunami from owners looking to relocate to higher ground.
Speaking at a Lower House Budget Committee session, Kan said such a buyout would be a "major policy approach" to support people affected by the disaster. He also said his administration would "firmly support" the affected local governments to prevent them from falling into financial collapse.
After the March earthquake triggered massive tsunami that ravaged vast areas and killed thousands in the northeast coastal areas, many residents are hoping to build new homes on higher ground.