October 2012 – Shanti Phula's Blog

Act of Violence; [Former Fukushima Prefectural Governor Eisaku Sato] Comment on Supreme Court’s Decision

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It is unbelievable act of violence. This case will make the people recognize that the Supreme Court is definitely evil.

Masatoshi Takeshita

English translation of a Japanese article: ‘The Northern Wind Will Blow Soon’ blog – October 22, 2012 –

Comment on Supreme Court’s Decision: Eisaku Sato

Mr. Eisaku Sato is the former Fukushima prefectural governor.

Mr. Sato gained the reputation as a “fighting governor” and won overwhelmingly wide support in the prefecture because he voiced an objection against Tokyo overconcentration and challenged the government policy on nuclear power plants and regional system.

He had continued to strongly oppose to a plutonium-thermal power generation project since the TEPCO covered up accidents.

In September, 2006, 18^th year as governorship in the 5^th term of office, he was grilled on a bribery scandal over a dam construction for which the prefecture placed an order, resigned as governor, and then was arrested. In October, 2009, he was found guilty at the second trial as well as the first trial, with an unprecedented holding of “nil bribe-taking.” He was appealing to a final court.

Comment on Supreme Court Decision by Eisaku Sato October 16, 2012

I’d like to post my comment sent to newspaper offices after receiving the Supreme Court decision, in my blog, too.

Today, on October 16, the Supreme Court has decided to turn down an appeal from me, Eisaku Sato.

I am not guilty over bribery charge questioned in this trial and the top court ruling is unacceptable. I feel very disappointed at the judiciary of this country which ignores the truth.

At first rate, this case was castles in the air, in which ‘something’ was created out of ‘nothing.’

My brother and I were suddenly arrested on charge of bribery and forced to make a confession to a crime of which we knew nothing, by the prosecutor of the investigative team from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office in the interrogation room of the Tokyo detention house isolated from the outside world.

My supporters have been all summoned by the investigative team and have undergone severe interrogation, which has resulted in an attempted suicide. I suffered a lot in a cell and made a false confession to the crime one time, thinking that “I will take the rap so as to save my supporters.”

However, with the start of the trial, requirements for bribery charge were overrode one after another. My alibi was proved because “God’s Word” which allegedly I said to the head of the civil engineering division at the governor’s room was considered to be impossible.

Isao Mizutani, former chairman of Mizutani Kensetsu Co., testified that “I bought a land lot owned by the governor’s brother’s company with a bribe to the governor.” Later he testified that “Although I testified so by transactions made with the prosecutor, the truth is different. The governor is innocent.”

The team’s plan to indict me on a bribery charge came to nothing.

My brother heard the prosecutor in charge say this in the interrogation room of the Tokyo detention house.

“Governor Sato is not good for Japan. He will be eliminated in the near future.”

Looking back, this could have been what the scandal is all about.

During the term of office, I severely confronted the character of the country and the utility firm, which tried to cover up the accidents and troubles at Fukushima No. 1 and No.2 nuclear power plants of TEPCO, to secure safety of 2.1 million citizens of Fukushima Prefecture.

As for putting into practice a plutonium-thermal power generation project, I established “Energy Policy Investigative Commission” to repeat discussions and refused the project because I found it questionable. The scandal took place in the midst of such “cut and thrust.”

Very regrettably, three nuclear reactors including Fukushima No. 3 reactor where power was generated by plutonium-thermal use suffered meltdowns. My concern became reality in an unexpected fashion

Our irreplaceable “Hometown Fukushima” was contaminated and many residents of the prefecture are still forced to evacuate their homes.

The people of Fukushima are forced to bear hardship and live an uneasy life. The very thought of it make my heart break.

On the other hand, it was revealed that evidence of floppy disks was falsified in the postal injustice case immediately after my case. The aggressive way for the investigative team to conduct an investigation by making an unnatural story was brought to light.

Prosecutor Tsunehiko Maeda got a prison sentence in the floppy falsification case and served time in prison. It is Prosecutor Maeda himself that interrogated Mr. Isao Mizutani in my case and approached him with a deal.

It is natural that my case should have been reexamined and I should have been found innocent.

However, I hear that the Supreme Court turned down both appeals from me and the prosecutor.

The final and binding judgment of second instance rendered by the Tokyo High Court was very strange. Although the court acknowledged that my brother and I had been found guilty of bribery, it admitted no surcharge, that is, “zero of bribery amount.”

And the verdict suggested that “there is a possibility that the governor did not have the slightest recognition of bribe-taking.” If so, I should have been found innocent. However, the Court adjudicated me of guilty though practically innocent, to save the face of the investigative team.

Today’s decision indicates that the Supreme Court, the highest judicial organ, has officially admitted the judgment of second instance to curry favor with the team. I, as the person concerned, am indignant with the Court for its injustice. At the same time, I am worried that this decision will definitely lead to serious problems in the future of Japan.

Residents of Fukushima Prefecture and the people of Japan,

I’d like to keep on fighting for an acquittal, including appeal for retrial, while consulting with my lawyers.

I ask you to let your heart go out to me.

[Shinshu no Izumi] U.S. Servicemen in Okinawa Consider Residents Living in the Vicinity of Base as Slaves?

I also sometimes think that early settlement will be achieved if Okinawa goes independent as the Kingdom of Ryukyu and drives the U.S. forces out of it.

Masatoshi Takeshita

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Monju Bosatsu (source: Shinshu no Izumi) – October 18, 2012 –

U.S. Servicemen in Okinawa Consider Residents Living in the Vicinity of U.S. Base as Slaves? – Shinshu no Izumi – October 18, 2012 –

The number of crimes committed by U.S. servicemen exceeds 200,000 over the 55 years from 1952 to 2007.

In Okinawa, another woman was sexually assaulted by U.S. servicemen. A numerous number of incidents where women and children in Okinawa got hurt by U.S. servicemen took place after the war. Forty years have passed since Okinawa was returned to Japan. However, U.S. servicemen frequently committed crimes before and after its reversion.

According to Wikipedia, the number of crimes by U.S. servicemen across Japan, which has been reported alone, exceeds 200,000 over the 55 years from 1952 to 2007.

(Quotation from Wikipedia)

According to the data submitted by the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, the number of incidents and accidents by U.S. forces in Japan, including on and off duty, from 1952 through 2007 is 200 thousand and that of Japanese killed due to involvement in the incidents and accidents is 1,076. According to the Foreign Ministry document released in 2010, the annual number of the latter reached 1,000 as of 1965 before the reversion. Additionally, the number of U.A. servicemen who faced a court-martial on a charge of incidents and accidents from 1985 to 2004 is one and the number of those who got disciplinary action is 318. As for this, Seiken Akamine, a Lower House Member of the Japanese Communist Party, told “In spite of many number of incidents and accidents, only one military tribunal was convened (over the 20 years). Crimes committed by the U.S. forces have gone unchecked.

On 16^th in Okinawa, two 23-year-old U.S. servicemen attacked a woman (in her twenties), a worker at a restaurant, on her way home and sexually assaulted her. On the Nippon Broadcasting System’s radio program, Mr. Masaru Sato, former Foreign Ministry bureaucrat, told on this incident that U.S. servicemen stationed in Okinawa have got the same feeling that U.S. servicemen had when Japan was occupied by U.S. after it lost the war and they might feel whatever they want to do to local residents. I quite agree with him. U.S. servicemen assigned to Japan look down on Japanese. In the first place, Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement is quite absurd. The military top brass in the base do not seem to seriously educate fresh recruits about gentlemanly behavior in the local area. U.S. forces have no sense of being under the Japan-US Security Treaty but have stationed in Japan with the sense that they as the occupation forces had at the end of the war.

As for this, this writer Shinshu no Izumi is angry with Japanese living in Honshu (mainland), too. It is obvious that they impose bothersome problems on Okinawa and are going to get away with being friendly with U.S. They don’t think empathically about base-related problems occurring in Okinawa as the same Japanese. Mr. Kotaro Yamasaki, a literary critic, wrote about this situation: people in mainland show a nonchalant attitude toward Okinawa treated as a dump site. I quite agree with him. The government forces Okinawa to accept U.S. rascal servicemen and budgets nearly 200 billion yen (allegedly many times more in actuality) of “sympathy budget allocations” annually. Now in Scotland and Catalonia, Spain, a momentum for independence is developing. At this rate, Okinawa might also give up on the mainland and go independent.

[Tokyo Shimbun] Our Newspaper to Be Awarded Kikuchi Kan Prize for “Spirit of Courageous Journalists” in Coverage of Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Information from Mr. Masatoshi Takeshita posted on his blog – October 16, 2012 –

English translation of a Japanese article of Tokyo Shimbun – October 16, 2012 –

* about Tokyo Shimbun : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Shimbun *

Our Newspaper to Be Awarded Kikuchi Kan Kikuchi Prize for “Spirit of Courageous Journalists” in Coverage of Nuclear Power Plant Accident

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Literature announced on 15^th that it would award the 60^th Kikuchi Kan Prize to “Nuclear Power Plant Accident News Crew (current crew)” of Tokyo Shinbun (issued by Tokyo Head Office of Chunichi Shimbun) and others. Other prizewinners include Mr. Ken Takakura, actor, and Ms. Ayako Sono, writer. Prize money is 1 million yen a prizewinner. An award presentation ceremony will be held in Tokyo in early December.

Our newspaper was awarded the prize for spirit of courageous journalists with which we have investigated and have reported why Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant accident occurred and have continued accusing the government and Tokyo Electric Power Company of trying to conceal information. This is the second winning of the prize since the coverage of Lockheed Scandal trials “Crime of Prime Minister to be Judged” (in 1982).

Other prizewinners and prize-winning reasons are as follows: (Honorific titles are omitted)

*Ayako Sono – She made long-year achievements as literary person and critical essayist. She has devoted to poverty alleviation activities in developing countries.

*Ken Takakura – Ha has been active as movie star in the movie industry for half-century, whose new film is “To You” and has pursued his own unique path.

*Makoto Kondo – As a pioneer of breast preserving surgical operation in cancer treatment, he expressed pioneer opinions on toxicity of anticancer drug and risks of extended surgery and raised awareness for the operation.

*Kaori Icho and Saori Yoshida – At the London Olympic Games, they won gold medals in female wrestling. They achieved the third consecutive victory as the first Japanese females.

*Japanese Crested Ibis Protection Center in Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture – The center has been steadily engaged in artificial breeding and releasing into the wild. It succeeded in breeding the birds in the natural environment in April this year for the first time in 36 years.

[Neta Rika] Citizens’ Voice Such As Anti-Nuclear Demonstration Acts As A Counterbalance To U.S. Pressure

Information from our reader, Prema posted on our blog – October 14, 2012 –

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Neta Rika – October 10, 2012 –

Citizens’ Voice Such As Anti-Nuclear Demonstration Acts As A Counterbalance To U.S. Pressure

Mr. Ukeru Magosaki

(Photo taken by Taro Inoue)

Mr. Ukeru Magosaki, called “one and only national strategist the Foreign Ministry has ever produced,” says, “Shigeru Yoshida, who is considered to be a politician who fought a battle with U.S., was also one of U.S. puppets.”

Did you feel any pressure from the U.S. through your work in the Foreign Ministry?

“Of course, I felt it frequently. The biggest pressure was felt at the time of development of oilfield in Iran. A decade ago Japan acquired the right to develop the Azadegan oil field in Iran. However, the pressure from the U.S., which had a hostile relationship with Iran, forced Japan to abandon the right. At that time, Vice President Dick Cheney (then) directly got involved in excluding the Japanese person in charge from job site.”

It is a problem that a system to bow to U.S. wishes has been established in Japan, isn’t it?

“That’s right. It dates back to the occupied period. To give an example, Shigeru Yoshida served as prime minister from the occupied period to post-independence. He is considered to be a politician who fought a battle with the U.S., but if examining various documents carefully, it is found that he bowed to U.S. wishes. That is no surprise at all. Occupied Japan had no freedom. At that time, it was impossible for anybody to reach the center of power unless he bowed to U.S. wishes. The problem is that Shigeru Yoshida remained to be prime minister even after Japan regained its independence by signing the San Francisco Peace Treaty. This left behind a mechanism which forces Japan’s politics to bow to U.S. pressure.”

Your book says that the situation everywhere is the same as in the political world and those who had gained power with backing of U.S. remained in the prosecution, the media, the bureaucracy and the university even after Japan’s independence.

“Especially the Special Investigation Department has played a role in sending into political limbo the politicians who often have problems with U.S. The predecessor of the department was “Hidden, Hoarded Goods Incident Investigation Department.” In occupied Japan, it was organized to find out the hidden assets of the Japanese Imperial Army and put them under the control of GHQ. In a word, it was an investigation organization to make GHQ a present of Japan’s treasure.”

However, it was more than 65 years ago. It is unlikely that the Special Investigation Department is under the thumb of the U.S.

“As is the case with Shigeru Yoshida, they didn’t get shut of it at the time of independence. It is succeeded by into the elite of the Department to have a special connection with the U.S. For example, the prosecutor in charge of Ozawa case worked as the first secretary at the Japanese Embassy in U.S. The person in charge of questioning in the Lockheed Scandal, which led to the arrest of Kakuei Tanaka, was also the first secretary at the Embassy. The person who was the prosecutor general at the scandal got involved with the Sorge case and Shimoyama case, where U.S. was active behind the scenes.

If such system has been firmly established, is there any hope in years to come?

“I think that the anti-nuclear demonstration is the very hope. In the struggle over the U.S.-Japan Security Pact, left-wing activists got financed by top figures of the business world who was apparently influenced by U.S., to organize groups of demonstrators. However, this time is different. Ordinary citizens join in demonstrations though they are not mobilized by anybody. U.S. cannot put direct pressure on Japanese citizens. If more and more citizens raise their anti-nuclear voice, it would act as a counterbalance to U.S. pressure.

[Gendai Net] The Senkaku Islands: Do They Belong to China?

I incline to the opinion that the Japanese government has kept on lying.

Masatoshi Takeshita

English translation of a Japanese article: Gendai Net – October 10, 2012 –

The Senkaku Islands: Do They Belong to China?

Here Comes Trouble. “Official Document” of Foreign Ministry

Astonishing descriptions about the complicated Senkaku Island issue exist in official document of Foreign Ministry.

Foreign Ministry releases on its website “Japan Diplomatic Documents Digital Archives Vol. 18.” The documents exchanged between Count Ariake Yamagata, then Interior Minister, and Count Kaoru Inoue, then Foreign Minister have been released there. In the documents appears the phrase “Kumeakashima, Kubajima and Uotsurijima scattered between Okinawa Prefecture and China under the Manchus ……..,” which is descriptions over the Senkaku islands.

“Interestingly, on page 575 there is a description dated October 21, 1885 about construction of national signpost on the Senkaku islands planned by Japan at that time. Therein Foreign Minister Inoue says, ‘These islands are near the border of the Qing dynasty and the dynasty also gives a name to the islands. Recently the Qing dynasty’s newspapers have carried rumors that our country is going to occupy the islands belonging to the Qing dynasty located near Taiwan, and urged the Qing government to take precautions. At this time if we openly take measures such as constructing the signs of the Japanese nation, it is sure to invite suspicion of the Qing dynasty. We should wait for another chance to construct the signs of the nation and start clearing new land’ (Summary). This can be interpreted as Meiji government’s compromise after recognizing China’s connection to the Senkaku islands.” (Journalist covering diplomacy)

In the near future, China might use this diplomatic document to kick up a row. It’s really annoying.

Urgent information: “Light of Grace on October 23, 2012 for one hour from 9 p.m. Japan Standard Time(JST)”

MSG on October 22, 2012 at 7p.m. Japan Standard Time (JST).

"It is our great pleasure to inform you that Oomiya-hime-michiko-sama will shower us Light of Grace for one hour from 9 p.m. (JST) tomorrow on October 23, 2012."

/* For local time of your area, please visit: bit.ly/SdlO7M */

As a rule, all of us will be able to receive this light. However, this light will not reach those who have committed many follies and have been excluded from our Sirius System.

Furthermore, we are sure to have more blessings by repeating this divine name for one hour.

All the people who can take this message would be advised to repeat the name of “Oomiya-hime-michiko-sama” for one hour from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (JST) on October 23, 2012.

You may repeat Her name either aloud or in the silence of your heart. By repeating the Divine name, those who have already achieved the absolute passing level will step up to one higher level in their evolutionary stage of consciousness.

Please pass on this message to as many people as possible.

Masatoshi Takeshita

Oomiya-hime-michiko-sama

Illustrated by Mrs. Seiko Nakanishi

[Mr. Daiki Nakashita] Candid Voices of People Living for Their Life in Fukushima

Although I tried to choose some of all voices, I could not decide which to choose after reading all. I’d like to introduce all voices.

Masatoshi Takeshita

English translation of a Japanese article: Daiki Nakashita’s Blog – October 4, 2012 –

I’m sending out tweets about candid voices of people living for their life in Fukushima, whose permission I’ve gotten. I’d like to introduce their voices on my blog, too.

I’m sending out tweets about candid voices of people living for their life in Fukushima whose permission I’ve gotten.

I’ll post the voices which have received a great response, on my blog, too.

Please read them if you like.

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Female in her eighties living in temporary housing, Fukushima City

“Decontamination is practically the same as the situation in our young days (during the war) when we were forced to cry out diabolical cruelties against all Americans and English with bamboo spears. Everybody knows that the government’s response is superficial and useless. However, if we voice it, we are criticized. It is peer pressure; we are forced to conform to group norms.”

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Male in his sixties in Minamisoma City

“Takenaka Corporation, building contractor, receives a request for house decontamination at a cost of 5.6 million yen. On-site subcontractors carry out the decontamination operations with 0.7 million yen after a lot of rake-off is paid to the corporation. An end subcontractor worker is paid approximately eight thousand yen a day.

Subcontractor workers do sloppy work because they fall out of work after finishing decontamination. Thus, ensuring job security achieves business turnaround. This is the reality of decontamination business.

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Male in his sixties living in temporary housing, Iwaki City

“I have worked at a nuclear plant for thirty years, but I cannot work now because I was exposed to radiation. People escape from reality if they are faced with bitter reality. I deliberately avoid thinking about future. I amuse myself by attempting to sing karaoke while drinking sake. I myself feel miserable, thinking of what I’m doing at my age.

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Male in his sixties, living in temporary housing, Iwaki City

“Do you ask how we could stop nuclear power generation? It’s simple. Unless another nuclear power plant explodes and land is too contaminated for people to live, it is impossible to stop operation of nuclear plants. It is another problem that U.S., business circles and bureaucrats put pressure upon politiciasn.”

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Mr. A in his seventies living in temporary housing (from Ookuma-machi)

“We approved of building nuclear power plants to live a stable life without going away to work during the winter time and to live at the same place with my children and grandchildren. I approved of building nuclear power plants for affluent life and stable growth, and continued to work in a power plant. I can’t believe what dropped in my lap unexpectedly.”

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Male in his seventies living in temporary housing, Iwaki City

“There are sufferers and sufferers. Situations differ. People who lost families and those who families survive; people who lost jobs and those who have jobs; people whose houses were swept away and those who have houses; people who have places they can return to and those who don’t; people who have money and those who have no money. There is one thing I’m sure of, that disparities which existed before the earthquake have got revealed now.”

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Female in her fifties in Minamisoma City

“Recently I often think that human beings are more terrifying than radiation. I feel that in some places of Fukushima prevails an atmosphere in which the mere talk about radiation makes people face peer pressure. There are many people who intentionally desperately refuse to think about radiation issue. It is a sort of brain breeze. I wonder it is self-protection.”

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Male in his seventies living in temporary housing, Fukushima

“I have long worked in a nuclear power plant, but have had subcontractor workers perform dangerous work. Although we knew that people from Sanya and Kamagasaki, where day laborers gather, were taken to the plant, we turned blind eyes to it. Looking back on the accident now, I might be an assailant like TEPCO.”

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Male in his sixties in Nakadori, Fukushima

“I was astonished to listen to the radio. The Fukushima Prefecture Board of Education appealed on radio to children to become strong enough to defeat radiation. Residents in Nakadori are almost unaware of the fact that they are victims. Therefore, the Board of Education criticizes people who evacuated from the prefecture. Few people wear masks now.”

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Female in her twenties in Minamisoma City

“I have never studied about nuclear power plants. However, it was not until my husband working for a subcontractor of TEPCO was hospitalized after exposure to radiation that I was awakened to reality. Although I have been exposed to radiation since March 11 last year, I have lived a carefree life, thinking “I am safe because somebody will do something necessary” as if the accident were someone else’s problem. Finally I have realized that indifference will destroys myself.”

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Female in her forties living in temporary housing, Iwaki City

“In temporary housing a middle-aged man committed suicide. This might happen to me tomorrow……

However, whatever it takes, I can’t say to children ‘where there is life, there is hope.’ Bright future is absolutely impossible here in Fukushima. I have never thought how difficult it is to live an ordinary life.”

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Female in her twenties in Minamisoma City

“Every time I hear about my female friends who got an abortion, I think it is impossible to have a child. Although my husband and mother-in-law seem to want a child, I think it is impossible to raise a child in Fukushima. I am surprised when I measure radiation dose near my home. Even if I give birth to a child, I won’t let the child play outside. I’ll feel sorry for the child.”

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Female in her twenties in Minamisoma City

“I have always criticized others such as the country, politics and TEPCO since the nuclear disaster. However, thinking about myself carefully, I have never been to the polls, never read newspapers, and watch only comedy shows on TV. Although I live near the nuclear power plants, I have never tried to know something about nuclear power plants. Now I’m ashamed of myself.

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Male in his sixties (from Ookuma-machi) living in temporary housing, Aizu-Wakamatsu City

“Please, think about our town. Ookuma is just a country town without employment, money or industries. The town will get a significant benefit if it invites to set up nuclear power plants there. How many people could refuse to eat it if the enticing carrot is dangled in front of them? I think that there are some people who are never influenced by the power of money, but a very small number of people if any.”

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Male in his fifties living in temporary housing, Fukushima

“I went to Sendai. I saw a lot of home builders from across the country get together in Sendai, which enjoys a reconstruction bubble economy. I heard a business manager say that he enjoyed making profits. I don’t want him to say aloud even if he really thinks so. This is because a significant number of people were killed here in Tohoku district.”

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Male in his fifties living in temporary housing, Fukushima

“Two acquaintances of mine have committed suicide for the past several months. Men are weak if they lose work or family. They had played a good hand thanks to the titles on a name card, but they had lost everything after 3/11. I am also unemployed. There is a salon at a meeting place in temporary housing. Do you think that a grown man can join it alone?”

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Female in her twenties living in temporary housing, Fukushima

“As I have children, I want to study about radiation exposure and try to participate in lecture meetings in the prefecture as often as possible. However, great teachers say “Radiation dose is almost zero,” “There is no internal exposure” or “Fukushima is all right.” I cannot get correct information. If I voice it, I am criticized more severely.”

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Male in his sixties (from Ookuma-machi) living in temporary housing, Aizu

“I have already prepared myself fully. There is no debris disposal site other than the area near the nuclear power plants where nobody can live any longer. If there is money for decontamination, the government should buy up vacant lots in the neighborhood of the power plants to build a debris disposal plant. No local residents think that they will be able to return to Ookuma.”

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Male in his fifties in Minamisoma City

“The way of TEPCO and the government is disgusting. They never treat us as human beings. However, I have always depended on TEPCO and the government. What is the most wrong is my way of living without a spirit of independence. I have fallen into brain freeze, thinking it is fine if I can enjoy myself now and I can make money all to myself. I have lived, hushing up a disagreeable affair.”

[JNN] Sarah Brightman Goes to Space

Information from two readers, Ms. horin and Ms. aimi posted on Shanthi Phula blog – October 12, 2012 –

How wonderful it is to receive Sarah Brightman’s singing voice from space! I’m looking forward to 2015. (Comment by Ms. horin)

English translation of a Japanese article: Yahoo! News – October 11, 2012 –

Sarah Brightman Goes to Space

*This video is different from the video posted by Yahoo! News.

World-famous British soprano singer Sara Brightman announced a plan that she will stay at the International Space Station.

“I have really wanted to go to space since I was a little girl,” British soprano singer Sara Brightman said.

According to her, the plan will be realized in 2015 at the earliest and she will go to space on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, where she will stay for about ten days.

This is the first time a professional musician will challenge space travel.

Reference: Sara Brightman Professional singer’s first “space singing” plan

[Tokyo Shimbun] True Nature of Kasumigaseki Bureaucrats Seen in Play of Pocketing “Reconstruction Budget”

This article is about the second round of human folly.

Probably banks are positioned around business circles. Central bank is above them. I wonder when humanity will come to understand the self-evident truth that unless ambition to climb up the ladder to status as much as possible disappears, peace of mind is never attained.

Masatoshi Takeshita

English translation of an excerpt from a Japanese article: Ankoku Yakou – October 9, 2012 –

True Nature of Kasumigaseki Bureaucrats Seen in Play of Pocketing “Reconstruction Budget” – Opportunistic “Extended Interpretation” and “Exploitation” of People

♦*”Hissen” Tokyo Shimbun’s column – October 8, 2012 –

Japanese bureaucrats are very kashikoi or clever. Of course, the prefix “zuru” (cunning) is put before the word. It is a piece of cake for them to stretch short wordings in laws and administrative documents which are seemingly difficult to understand.

▼One after another have been revealed facts that reconstruction budget was used for projects unrelated to reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas; approximately 4.2 billion yen for fusion energy research, 2.3 billion yen for research whaling project, 330 million yen for repair of Tokyo’s National Stadium, and so on. It is said that a massive amount of money was also spent to renovated government office buildings in local regions other than disaster-stricken areas.

▼This has resulted from the inclusion of the wording “ to realize the rebirth of the whole of Japan as an affluent and active country into the basic policy for reconstruction compiled by the government in July last year. Though there seemed to be political demands, reconstruction budget turned into the threshing floor of a killing field where ministries and agencies compete for it.

▼Approximately 63 percent of groups which applied for subsidies to support affected small businesses were rejected for the reason of “shortage of national budget,” our newspaper reports. The money really needed by disaster-stricken areas never reach them. What is reconstruction budget for? That is like putting the cart before the horse.

▼The people have tolerated tax increases over 25 years because they believed that the budget would be used exclusively for earthquake disaster reconstruction. Bureaucrats stubbornly insist that “We just act in accordance with government policy.” They have not any sincerity.

▼Expecting sincerity of national officials could be just like expecting fishes of a greengrocer. The government has major responsibility for letting bureaucrats want to do.

Governance Structure in Japan