Related: Aftershocks continue in Japan, 26 die

    TOKYO, Oct. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi arrived at airport of north Japan's Niigata Prefecture Tuesday afternoon on a Self-Defense Forces aircraft to visit the cities of Nagaoka and Ojiya, which were hard hit by Saturday's devastating earthquakes.

    According to Kyodo News, Koizumi carried out the planned visit after having canceled the trip earlier in the day.

    But he canceled a planned visit to typhoon-hit Toyooka, west Japan's Hyogo Prefecture, though he said he plans to reschedule the trip. The earlier plan to visit both areas by helicopter was canceled due to bad weather, Kyodo said.

    "I thought it is better to see the area as soon as possible in order to consider measures to be taken, as ministers report that the damage is serious," Koizumi said at his office before departing on the trip.

    Regarding the canceled trip to Toyooka, the premier was quoted, "I want to go there as soon as possible as damage from the typhoon is also serious."

    Toyooka was hardest hit by the heavy rain, flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Tokage last week. The typhoon killed 80 people and left 12 missing, mostly in western Japan.

    Nagaoka and Ojiya, both in central Niigata Prefecture, were devastated by a series of powerful quakes Saturday. At least 27 people were killed and over 2,100 injured. More than 100,000 people are still living in makeshift evacuation shelters. Enditem