Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The application of the budget for reconstruction

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to the application of the budget for reconstruction. I believe that the examination of the application of this budget will be applied to both expenditure already made and next fiscal year's budget to be reviewed. During a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Okada expressed his intent to have the Government Revitalization Unit lead the examination; however, yesterday you indicated that it may be carried out by the Reconstruction Agency. I was hoping that you could give us a comprehensive overview of how tasks will be delegated between the Government Revitalization Unit and the Reconstruction Agency.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In principle the Reconstruction Agency should take the central role. Additionally, the Reconstruction Agency is directing the Ministry of Finance to examine the areas believed to be controversial, exercising its right to express its opinion on other Government agencies. Therefore the Ministry of Finance is currently in the process of attempting to understand the current situation. On the other hand, the review of administrative programs, which are applied to all Government ministries and agencies, is conducted by the Government Revitalization Unit. They will also make proposals in relation to the budget for reconstruction for fiscal 2013 to ensure that the budget is used directly for recovery and reconstruction efforts. I believe these proposals may also take the form of an official warning. In short, while you asked about the delegation of work, the whole Government will be tasked with addressing this issue. The distribution of work will be as I just stated.

REPORTER: I would like to confirm one thing. Which organization will function as the head organization? Will it be the Government Revitalization Unit or the Reconstruction Agency?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: We are talking about the budget for reconstruction, so naturally it will be the Reconstruction Agency. The whole Government will be addressing this issue together, however I believe the role of secretariat will be played by the Reconstruction Agency. I also believe that reviews conducted by the Government Revitalization Unit will be used by the Reconstruction Agency when considering next fiscal year.