TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa plans to make some 1,300 units of temporary housing available by the end of March in five municipalities hit hard by a series of strong quakes of up to 7.6 magnitude, the governor said Tuesday.
Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase told a press conference that the government will begin construction of 1,000 units every month in the cities of Wajima, Suzu and Nanao, as well as the towns of Noto and Anamizu, from January to March, adding that 60 units will be available for moving in this month.
The prefectural government plans to secure housing for about 13,900 people by the end of March through the construction of temporary housing and the use of existing public housing, he said.
As of 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the death toll from the powerful earthquake on New Year's Day stood at 233 in Ishikawa while 19 people remained unaccounted for, according to local authorities. ■