Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The reconstruction budget

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding the reconstruction budget, today, the Asahi Shimbun reported that the Government has again misappropriated the reconstruction budget. Specifically, out of the 1.2 trillion yen, for example, some funds were used for a forest road development project in Oita Prefecture. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has explained that this was to ensure the stable supply of timber necessary for reconstruction. I thought it was the Abe administration's policy to not, in principle, utilize the reconstruction funds in areas outside of the disaster area. What is the Government's view of the current situation, of the fact that the availability of the funds as a "fund" allows for these loopholes?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware of today's newspaper report. Also, the Prime Minister was asked this question about a week ago at the Diet. An investigation is now being carried out quickly with regard to the status of the execution of this fund applicable to projects nationwide, and the investigation details should be coming out shortly. I believe it was at the meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors that the Prime Minister stated that he intended to deal with this matter pertaining to the fund related to the reconstruction budget, including the suspension of the execution of the fund. Therefore, the circumstances are being reviewed once more accordingly. This problem has long continued since the previous administration. In fact, it was after we took back the administration that we started a campaign to not permit misappropriations. The investigation is under way, and the report should be coming out shortly. After receiving the report, if it is found that misappropriation did in fact take place, then the Government will take measures, including the suspension of the execution.

REPORTER: There were cases of misappropriations when the Democratic Party of Japan led the government. When the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan retook the administration, misappropriation was prohibited. What do you think about the fact that misappropriation continued to take place in the form of the fund even after misappropriation was prohibited?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is the basic policy of the Government that misappropriations are not permitted even in the context of the fund. Misappropriations should not be carried out. The government's basic policy is that the reconstruction fund must be used for reconstruction. If misappropriation is found, then we will review and correct this, and take measures, including the suspension of the execution.