Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: If I may, following-on from yesterday, ask another question related to the Great East Japan Earthquake. At many of the fishery ports in the disaster area, there seems to be a difference in views between the government, which aims to construct large-scale fishery ports that place an emphasis on efficiency, and the people involved in the local fishery industry, who as individual business owners wish to restore the fishery ports as they existed before and resume their fishing operations as quickly as possible. How does the Government view the wishes of these people in the fishery industry? Also, it may be anticipated that for some their wishes will not come true and that those people will be leaving the fishery industry. Can you discuss what measures the Government has in place for stopping such a situation, if any?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: This is essentially a matter that is handled by the prefectures. All of the fishery ports have suffered immense damages, including damages to processing and other facilities, and are faced with difficult circumstances. Amid this situation, the prefectures and the municipalities are addressing this matter, all the while holding various dialogues with fishery cooperatives and small fishery operators, respectively. I believe this matter is being addressed based on a policy of starting disaster recovery programs in accordance with the wishes of the communities. Beyond that, I believe it is up to the local Reconstruction Bureaus to make careful coordination regarding the Government's involvement in this matter.