Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The review of the reconstruction budget

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the review of the reconstruction budget. As was confirmed also at this morning's press conference, I believe that in principle the Government will review the budget through the Reconstruction Agency and the Ministry of Finance (MOF). Is my understanding correct that it is also the Reconstruction Agency and MOF that have the right to make the final decision regarding the review?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: "Review" is review. The Reconstruction Agency will ultimately verify with the respective government offices on whether there were any completely unrelated budgets and so on. In some cases, a warning may be sent out. I believe a more rigorous check will be conducted for next fiscal year's budget.

REPORTER: What do you have in mind as the timing for the final compilation? You said that, for example, the review conducted by Deputy Prime Minister Okada at the Government Revitalization Unit will be carried out around mid-November. What is the end period you have in mind for the review by the Government as a whole to determine whether the allocations were or were not appropriate and whether they will or will not be reviewed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe a majority of the results of the review will be reflected in next fiscal year's budget. The Government Revitalization Unit, including experts, will conduct a review, if there are problems, in mid-November. I believe a variety of facts will come to light thereafter.

REPORTER: If I may confirm, you said that in principle a majority of the results will be reflected in next fiscal year's budget. Then is it correct to understand that at this present stage you do not envision freezing the execution of any allocations included in this fiscal year's budget?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: If there are allocations which have not been executed, then I believe naturally the results of the review will be reflected.

(Abridged)