Pope meets Japan's 'triple disaster' victims

 Pope Francis met victims of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident, which he calls Japan's "triple disaster," in Tokyo on Monday as he raised doubts about the use of nuclear power.

The 82-year-old Argentinian pope, who arrived in Japan on Saturday for a four-day visit, listened to the accounts of three survivors of the disaster, The Deutsch Press agency (dpa) reported.

The plant suffered meltdowns at three of its reactors after it was hit by a powerful quake and resulting tsunami, which killed about 18,500 people.

"In the ongoing work of recovery and rebuilding after the triple disaster, many hands must join together and many hearts unite as one," the pope said, so the victims of the disaster can receive support and know they have not been forgotten.

The pope pointed out scientific and medical concerns about the nuclear disaster and also saw "the immense challenge of restoring the fabric of society."

According to the dpa, he also questioned the continued use of nuclear power as the Japanese bishops urge the country to abandon nuclear power.

The pope also visited the Imperial Palace to hold a meeting with Emperor Naruhito, who took the Chrysanthemum throne on May 1.

The emperor thanked the pope for visiting Nagasaki and Hiroshima and meeting victims of the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster.

Francis is also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later in the day, after holding a mass at a baseball stadium in the capital.

His tour marks the first papal visit to the country in 38 years. In 1981, Pope John Paul II visited Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Tokyo.