62034    Some parts of his latest speech are better modulated.

62035    Mr. Murayama was extremely clear in relation to the issue of healing the wounds of war by saying that "the government would address individual cases in good faith as it is a moral responsibility that Japan must take and I am convinced that it will result in earning a greater trust from Asian countries and other nations," but his phrasing was more hesitant in the previous speech.

62036    Additionally, with regard to special government corporations, while Mr. Murayama had committed to nothing more than a review in the last speech, he clearly stated in this speech, "I am determined to push forward for the integration and streamlining of special corporations including merger and dissolution with my political leadership."

62037    The political reform is not something temporary, but rather a challenge into the future.

62038    The Prime Minister was too low-key about the political reform likely because he was no longer interested in it.

62039    But political reform, including atonement for the war and problems surrounding special corporations, is the greatest issue that the Murayama administration, which has already losing ground, can demonstrate its unifying power.

62040    Particularly, after having made numerous concessions starting with the acceptance of the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan-US Security Treaty, healing the wounds of war is the issue that could be called the last bastion of the Social Democratic Party to assert its identity.

62041    It appears that the bureaucracy based in Kasumigaseki forced their inputs on his speech as if seeing through the shaky foundation of the administration and the lack of leadership, and with these two issues that would determine whether or not his administration survives, the Prime Minister seems to have managed to show his pride.

62042    Alongside the rescue operation for missing persons, restoration efforts have started to move forward in the devastated areas of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

62043    One of the essentials at present is the preparation by the government and the Bank of Japan of fiscal/financial measures to support the recovery and reconstruction.

62044    The Murayama Cabinet has announced that they will do their best to address the issue.

62045    Since the ruling coalition seems to be discussing the special legislation and supplementary budget internally, we want to make several requests in relation to fiscal/financial measures.

62046    Firstly, a financially provision to secure the livelihood of the victims needs immediate attention as an interim measure.

62047    At present, more than 300,000 evacuees are still forced to live in the shelters with great inconvenience, and it is obvious that the financial problem will grow as time goes by.

62048    Demands for money in order to buy day-to-day items, to reopen stores, to repair houses and for other things are expected to increase sharply.