Minister Ibayashi’s Press Briefing
Overview
Following reports that road funding had been significantly cut, reporters asked about reduced allocations of the Social Infrastructure Development Grant to Nasukarasuyama City and Nakagawa Town, requests or consultations from legislators, and whether the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had provided explanations. The minister said allocations are determined by comprehensively considering local governments’ requests, project progress, and whether projects qualify for priority allocation, within a limited budget. He said he had been informed that road funding had not been cut in the manner described in the reported remarks. Officials are examining the facts, including the remarks and allocations. The minister declined to comment on politicians’ remarks on behalf of the government or to discuss what action might follow the investigation.
Key points
- Reports said road funding had been significantly cut and that grant allocations to two municipalities had also decreased.
- The minister said he had been informed that road funding had not been cut in the manner described in the reported remarks.
- He said officials were examining the facts, including the remarks, allocations, exchanges with legislators, and explanations from the ministry.
Overview
The minister explained that, within a limited budget, Social Infrastructure Development Grant allocations are determined by comprehensively considering local governments’ requests, project progress, and whether projects qualify for priority allocation.
Reports said allocations of the grant to Nasukarasuyama City and Nakagawa Town in Tochigi Prefecture had fallen year over year. The minister said officials were examining the facts, including the various figures published in the reports.
Details
A reporter asked whether there had been lobbying or consultations by Representative Yana’s side, and whether the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had provided explanations or briefings when allocations were made. The minister replied that these matters were also under investigation.
The minister declined to comment from the government’s position on individual politicians’ remarks. Asked whether the two municipalities would receive a further explanation after the investigation, he said examining the facts came first and declined to address that hypothetical next step.
Asked whether one legislator could direct a reduction in a specific municipality’s road funding, the minister again listed the factors used to decide grant allocations. He said he could not judge whether the term “lobbying” was appropriate, and stated that allocations are determined by comprehensively considering local requests, project progress, and whether projects qualify for priority allocation.