Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• The Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA

Today, March 11, marks the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt prayers for the repose of those who lost their lives. I would also like to express my sincere sympathies to those who have lost loved ones as well as those who continue to suffer. The Government will employ all means possible to accelerate reconstruction from the earthquake. This afternoon from 2:30 pm onwards, the Ceremony to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake will be hosted by the Government at the National Theatre of Japan in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and with the attendance of industry representatives.

Q&As

• The progress of post-earthquake reconstruction

REPORTER: As we reach the second anniversary, could you share with us the current situation and progress of reconstruction efforts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Upon appointment of ministers, the Prime Minister provided three Prime Ministerial instructions for all ministers. This included instructions to work toward post-earthquake reconstruction. The Prime Minister instructed all ministers to share a common awareness that they are all ministers for reconstruction and exert every effort to carry out post-earthquake reconstruction. In light of this we have created a duel headquarter system and fostered an environment where decisions can be made locally so that efforts such as reconstruction and decontamination can be streamlined to thoroughly ensure that the focus remains on the affected areas. The Government has also decided that, as a new initiative, "roadmaps on residential construction" for each fiscal year will be developed in cooperation with local municipalities. Furthermore, the Government will accelerate site acquisition within the affected areas. To this end, the Government will enhance its communication capacity, build additional concrete plants, and employ additional national public servants to make up for the shortfall of materials and personnel. Furthermore, we are currently building a system that facilitates the deployment of former local civil servants. The Government has also implemented measures to increase the flexibility of reconstruction grant usage. Ultimately, the Government will take all possible measures and address the situation with all resources at its disposal to ensure expedient reconstruction. That is all I have to say.

REPORTER: I believe that before the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) took office, or regained power, one of the things that the members of the LDP, including yourself, criticized most frequently, were the delays of the reconstruction effort. Now that you are back in office and you have experienced first-hand the debris that still remains uncleared and seen for yourself the slow progression of radiation decontamination, what do you personally believe were the greatest problems that hindered progression of the reconstruction effort over the past two years?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that one of the greatest barriers were the vertically-segmented administrative structures within the Government. I myself have met a number of mayors of local municipalities and I have learned that decision making is not conducted locally. Therefore, I find it very important to have a system where each local municipality makes decisions while the Reconstruction Agency facilitates this process. As you may know, the former Vice-Minister of the Reconstruction Agency has been appointed to the position of Special Advisor to the Cabinet. The Government was most attentive to eliminating the vertical structures within the Government and sought to create an environment where decisions can be made locally. As for the lack of human resources, the liaison meeting of administrative vice-ministers is currently addressing local councils' needs for additional staff and developing an environment that encourages other local municipalities to provide assistance. I believe that what was most lacking was a system where decision-making could take place locally.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on a related topic. You just mentioned the importance of a system where local decision-making is possible, but those people living in the affected areas have voiced their dissatisfaction saying that the system is not effective, or that decision-making is still too slow. At this point, now that the LDP is back in office, are you satisfied with the current situation or do you believe that more change is required?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that there are still a number of things that should be changed. In particular, I believe that efforts to allow more flexibility for reconstruction grant usage need to be made so as to match the needs of people living in the affected areas and the Government is determined to make every effort to achieve this goal.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the issue of disaster-related debris, 46 percent of all debris in the three prefectures affected has now been disposed of. What is your appraisal of the current status and what is the outlook for further disposal operations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The issue of disaster-related debris is for me one of the symbols of reconstruction from the disaster and I take a direct interest in matters relating to debris disposal, issuing instructions for removal and disposal. The target for complete disposal of all debris is March next year and I believe that plans for where debris will be used in landfills have pretty much been completed. There are various other issues to consider, such as the timing of such landfill projects, but I understand that an outlook for what kind of debris is to be used and where has been formulated and the Government will continue to work hard to meet the expectations regarding disposal of debris.

(Abridged)