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On June 20, the Basic Act on Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction (provisional translation) was approved by a majority vote in the House of Councillors and enacted.
In addition to the basic philosophy for reconstruction, the Act included provisions for (1) the establishment of a reconstruction agency, and (2) the establishment of special zones for reconstruction, and (3) the issue of reconstruction bonds.
The Chair of the Special Committee on Reconstruction in the House of Councillors Minoru Yanagida explained the main content of the Act、stating that it detailed the basic philosophy for the reconstruction that would be needed to promote the rejuvenation of Japan in a smooth and speedy fashion, following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, which has been an unprecedented national crisis for Japan. Yanagida said, “This Act sets forth the basic direction for securing funds for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, establishing special reconstruction zones, and establishing a Great East Japan Earthquake reconstruction strategy headquarters and a reconstruction agency (provisional translation), with a view to realizing an economy and society that can enable both current and future citizens of Japan to lead secure and rich lives.”
Prior to voting on the bill, DPJ Diet member Koji Hirayama made a speech in favour of the legislation. He stressed his conviction that this bill was a significant first step on the road toward reconstruction. He also pointed out that it was essential for the Diet to make the utmost effort to ensure that there was no “time lag” or “gap” between public sentiment and political action. Hirayama vowed that, “We will pool the wisdom of the Diet, and make every effort to speedily create a system that will unite us all in recovery and reconstruction efforts, with a view to creating a future for the Japanese people.”
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