LDP's Tsuruho under Fire for Noto Quake Gaffe

Tokyo, July 9 (Jiji Press)--Yosuke Tsuruho, a House of Councillors lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has come under fire for his gaffe about a powerful earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in central Japan last year.
 

During a campaign speech in the western city of Wakayama on Tuesday, Tsuruho said, "It was lucky that the earthquake occurred in Noto."
 

The remark came as the chairman of the Upper House Budget Committee appeared to be expressing hopes that the quake would facilitate lifestyles in which people live in both urban and rural areas. The government is promoting such lifestyles as a way to revitalize rural areas facing population decline.
 

Tsuruho withdrew the remark and apologized later Tuesday.
 

At a press conference in Wakayama on Wednesday, Tsuruho reiterated his apology and said, "I lacked consideration for the disaster-hit areas." He denied any plans to leave the LDP or resign as lawmaker.
 

LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama told a press conference in the southwestern city of Kagoshima the same day that Tsuruho's remark was "extremely inappropriate" and that its potential impact on the Upper House election "definitely wouldn't be positive." Moriyama issued a stern warning to Tsuruho over the phone.
 

Speaking to reporters in the city of Aomori on Wednesday, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, criticized Tsuruho's remark as "unbelievable."
 

"It was beyond a slip of the tongue. He must deeply apologize to the people of Noto," Noda said. "He has to take seriously how the public sees him." He added that Tsuruho should decide his own fate.
 

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keiichiro Tachibana said at a press conference in Tokyo: "It's important to stay close to the feelings of victims. No one should ever trample on them."
 

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