Group undertakes Fukushima recovery effort

FUKUSHIMA, Japan, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- An inter-governmental group has begun trying to rebuild Fukushima, Japan, almost two years after a devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant disaster.

The agency, the Fukushima Directorate General, was created to help make more comprehensive decisions about rebuilding the city and surrounding region, The Japan Times said Saturday.

A government report shows population streaming away from the area, with tens of thousands still displaced from their homes.

In addition to rebuilding devastated infrastructure, the umbrella group will also be responsible for remediating the Fukushima nuclear power plant, where three core meltdowns took place in the days following the quake and tsunami.