TOKYO, March 17 (Kyodo) — The Salt Industry Association of Japan will release 900 tons of edible salt from its reserves to cover supply shortages after one of Japan's six salt plants suspended production due to last Friday's catastrophic earthquake in northeastern and eastern Japan, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.
It will be the first time the government has released salt from the reserves. The center has a total of 100,000 tons of salt in reserve, including 60,000 tons of raw salt.
The suspension of production at the plant in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, has caused shortages in supply to food makers, including those manufacturing noodles.
The ministry also notified local governments in regions devastated by the quake and ensuing tsunamis that about 5,500 vacant government-owned residences are available for evacuees.