Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, who is also the minister in charge of handling the nuclear crisis, said Sunday that contaminated debris and soil from Fukushima Prefecture should be disposed of outside the prefecture. He said that all of Japan needs to share Fukushima's plight by providing sites for disposal of the debris.

Last week, Hosono said that he supported the construction of a temporary storage facility for radioactive waste in Fukushima Prefecture, but that idea has been opposed by prefectural government officials. He reiterated Sunday that the government will consult Fukushima officials before making a final decision.

The Diet on Aug 26 enacted a new law requiring the state to clean up debris and soil contaminated with radioactive matter.

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