Japan Press Weekly

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2011 June 29 - July 5 [GREAT EAST JAPAN DISASTER]

Reconstruction minister looks down on disaster-hit region

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on July 4 criticized Disaster Reconstruction Minister Matsumoto Ryu for “looking down on” the disaster-devastated northeastern region as he had said to local governors, “The government won’t help municipalities that do not use ingenuity.”

Ichida said that Matsumoto is not qualified to be the reconstruction minister and that “Prime Minister Kan Naoto’s responsibility for having appointed such a person as the minister will also be called into question.”

Matsumoto when visiting Iwate Prefecture on July 3 said, “Don’t take a ‘I want this and I want that’ attitude! The state will help municipalities only if they come up with good ideas.” He also said condescendingly to Iwate Governor Tasso Takuya, “In the first place, to construct temporary dwellings is your job.”

In a meeting with Miyagi Governor Murai Yoshihiro, the reconstruction minister said, “Do something to build a consensus by yourself on the special fishery zone! If you fail, then I don’t know what the government can do for you.”

His arrogant comments amount to saying, “Do what the government tells you to do, and then you will be helped,” and this arrogance is angering local residents.

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On the morning of July 5, Prime Minister Kan accepted Matsumoto’s resignation. It was only nine days after he was reposted to the reconstruction minister from his previous environment ministry post.