Asahi
NAGANO--Following up on an election promise to revitalize the local economy, Governor Jin Murai on Thursday overturned his predecessor's policy of banning dam construction.
Former Governor Yasuo Tanaka garnered national attention with his announcement in 2001 that he would halt eight major dam projects in an effort to rein in Nagano Prefecture's reliance on central government subsidies.
The move generated strong opposition, particularly from local construction companies and landowners who argued that dams were necessary for flood control.
On Thursday, their wishes were answered with Murai's announcement that a flood control dam would be constructed in place of the original Asakawa Dam project in Nagano.
"I decided that the ideal flood control measure that had high levels of reliability, economy and efficiency as well as being in harmony with nature would be a combination of a flood control dam and river repairs," Murai said Thursday....more...
