Japan Press Weekly

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2012 March 21 - 27 [GREAT EAST JAPAN DISASTER]

Keep expressways toll free to support disaster-hit areas: JCP Kokuta

Japanese Communist Party parliamentarian Kokuta Keiji on March 21 called for an extension of the toll-free expressway program, which will expire at the end of this month, in order to support victims of the 3.11 disaster.

At a House of Representatives transport committee meeting, Kokuta demanded that the government respond to a statement adopted by the Miyagi Prefectural assembly calling for the extension of the program for disaster-hit areas and vehicles coming into the areas for volunteer work.

In response to Kokuta, a Transport Ministry official said that the ministry is in the process of discussing with municipalities concerned and expressway companies.

“We only have 10 days left till the expiration day. It must be dealt with right away,” Kokuta urged.