Monday, December 1, 2008

The Prime Minister Receives an Assessment Report from the Council for Comprehensive Review of Administrative Expenditures

Prime Minister Taro Aso received a Council for Comprehensive Review of Administrative Expenditures assessment report from Mr. Yuzaburo Mogi, Chair of the Council, at the Prime Minister's Office. This report had been compiled the same day at the Council's 7th meeting.

On the issue of spending on the public interest corporations, the assessment report proposes eliminating or reducing administrative works and reviewing the commissioning of such works. On spending in special budget accounts, the report suggests implementing reforms that include elimination and consolidation as well as reviewing individual accounts. On cutting and optimizing administrative costs, the report recommends such measures as cutting the overall cost of public works and Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 15% compared to FY2007 in five years from FY2008. It points out that the Government must lay the foundations for administrative services that are delivered with pride by eliminating wasteful spending in the administration and ensuring the people's trust.