Lack of coordination

May 14, 2015

Editorial: Better coordinate new policy on restoring disaster-hit areas

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20150514p2a00m0na003000c.html

Concerns have been raised over whether the government's new policy of restoring areas hit by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis could adversely affect reconstruction efforts. Under the plan announced by the Reconstruction Agency, restoration projects would be classified into three categories and require local bodies in disaster areas to bear part of the financial burden of such efforts. Moreover, 10 restoration projects would be discontinued by the end of the current fiscal year.

It is inevitable for the national government to require local governments in disaster-hit regions to shoulder part of the burden as the restoration efforts have entered a new phase. However, the new policy could require disaster areas to shoulder excessive burdens. The central government should hold careful consultations with relevant local governments and coordinate views with them in compiling a restoration budget and working out specific restoration projects.

Up to now, the national government has fully footed restoration efforts as it designated the period from fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2015 as an "intensive reconstruction period." Therefore, the latest decision represents a departure from this previous policy.

Under the new policy, restoration projects would be classified into three categories -- fully central government-funded projects, projects that local governments would be required to partially fund and projects financed jointly by national and local governments like projects undertaken by local bodies unaffected by the disasters. In line with this, the scope of fully central government-funded projects would be narrowed to cover only core restoration projects, such as relocation of residents to higher ground and construction of housing for those who lost their residences to the disasters as well as countermeasures against the Fukushima nuclear crisis among others.

Since the central government is being forced to rehabilitate its debt-ridden finances, it is inevitable to require local bodies to partially fund restoration projects. However, one cannot help but wonder how far the national government considered the new policy's impact on disaster victims. In particular, the national government's decision to discontinue 10 projects on the grounds that these have already completed their roles has perplexed local bodies as well as residents in disaster areas. Some affected local governments have used one of these projects aimed at creating jobs to secure enough personnel to patrol temporary housing complexes. Another project to provide information to those who have voluntarily evacuated from their homes in areas affected by the nuclear disaster to other prefectures is also being utilized by those who have forcibly fled their home in evacuation zones and are taking shelter outside Fukushima. One other project to support the development of renewable energy in Fukushima Prefecture will also be terminated although it is crucial for Fukushima's disaster recovery.

Under the new policy, local governments in disaster areas would be required to shoulder part of the financial burden of public works projects in these regions except core projects. It is necessary to review the construction of huge coastal levees, over which there is controversy even among local residents. However, many road construction works are closely related to restoration plans.

Based on the new policy, the central government will work out a new framework for assistance for restoration projects at the end of June. There are growing calls within the government urging local bodies in disaster-hit areas to be self-reliant. However, local governments as well as residents in disaster areas have already made strenuous efforts to overcome difficulties. Such calls for disaster areas to be self-reliant -- as if to say these areas have relied heavily on the national government -- could trigger an unnecessary conflict.

The new policy has already caused anxiety to municipalities in disaster areas whose fiscal base is relatively weak. The central government estimates that it will need to set aside approximately 6 trillion yen for fresh reconstruction projects, well below the 8 trillion yen estimated by local bodies affected by the disasters. Amid financial difficulties, the central government should once again hold talks with affected local governments to identify projects indispensable for disaster recovery and narrow the perception gap with disaster areas.

May 14, 2015(Mainichi Japan)