[Provisional Translation]
 

1.     The Government has engaged in earnest consideration concerning the handling of the National Personnel Authority (NPA) Remuneration Recommendation submitted on September 30, 2011, under the basic policy of respecting the NPA Remuneration Recommendation system. As a result, taking into comprehensive consideration the content of the Recommendation and their intent, at the Cabinet meeting today it was decided to make every effort to achieve the prompt passage of the Special Temporary Draft Bill on the Remuneration of National Public Servants, and not to submit a draft bill for the revision of the General Act on the Remuneration of National Public Servants in order to implement the Recommendation of the NPA.
   
   
2.     Recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake are the challenges of greatest importance and highest priority for this Cabinet. The basic principle regarding financial resources for recovery and reconstruction is that the burden of these resources should not be passed onto the next generation, but instead should be shared together by all generations living here in the present. First of all, therefore, it is necessary to make efforts such as reductions in expenditure.
   
   
3.     From this perspective the Special Temporary Draft Bill on the Remuneration of National Public Servants that was submitted to the Diet on June 3 has been compiled for the purpose of constructing measures for the reduction of national public servants' remuneration as a temporary special measure in order to reduce personnel costs, in view of the vital necessity to reduce expenditure to respond to the stringent fiscal situation facing Japan and deal with the unprecedented national crisis caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Cabinet will make every effort to achieve the prompt passage of the Special Temporary Draft Bill on the Remuneration of National Public Servants that has already been submitted to the Diet.
   
   
4.     Finally I would like to address all national public servants.
       I would like to offer my high evaluation and regards for the diligent efforts all national public servants are making, night and day, in their public duties, including those relating to reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, I hope for your understanding that this remuneration reduction measure is due to unavoidable circumstances. In addition, in order to achieve the revival of Japan from the current historical national crisis, I ask that all national public servants will continue to exert maximum efforts in your various specialist positions, and that through your diligent efforts you will gain the further trust of the people of Japan.