Japan to build 100,000 homes for tsunami survivors

TOKYO—Japan’s prime minister says the country plans to build as many as 100,000 temporary homes to house the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami that pummelled the country last month.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan told reporters Friday the government hoped to finish 30,000 of the homes by the end of May.

About 135,000 people are living in 2,500 shelters set up in schools and community centers. Many others have moved into temporary housing or are staying with relatives.

Earlier Friday, Kan approved an extra budget worth $50 billion (4 trillion yen) to help finance the disaster reconstruction efforts.

Kan also urged Japanese to spend money during the upcoming Golden Week holidays to help spur the recovery.

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