36 prefectural governors oppose freezing new road construction

Sunday 01st November, 04:34 AM JST

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Speed at 09:08 AM JST - 1st November

I agree that the national government look more carefully at each road proposal with more scrutiny.

An all-encompassing "no more new roads" for the whole of the nation isn't responsible nor good policy.

The building of some of the new roads actually do make good sense.
bakabaka at 09:57 AM JST - 1st November

JeffLee..... exactly how much food does Tokyo grow? Where do you think all the resources that Tokyoites consume come from? Do fairies bring it, or does it come by road?
hoserfella at 10:11 AM JST - 1st November

At the end of the day, these governors are only concerned about their kickbacks.(it was pathetic watching Ishihara et al in tears over the dam project) Corruption is at the heart of the entire country.
GG2141 at 10:38 AM JST - 1st November

Tell 'em they can have their roads - if they pay for them themselves.

Problem with that is that they would. And the Prefecture would sign off on billions of worthless bonds to pay for it.

My God man, what were you thinking? Japan would be covered in tarmac to 50 feet deep in a matter of days if the prefectural governors got their greedy mitts on the road building budget.
BrightEyes at 10:55 AM JST - 1st November

"37 Corrupt Officials Oppose Anti-Corruption Measure"

would have been a better title for this article.
thepro at 11:09 AM JST - 1st November

The governors only care because roadworks = votes for them. If they can promise people they are going to do this and that to improve the region they get voted back in. So they are scared.
diggerdog at 11:19 AM JST - 1st November

every year new roads get built and old ones relayed where i live, pavements are built in totally wierd areas where nobody walks. I hope the government gets its way and maybe i ll be able to get to the city in half the time as i wont have to stop at the 7-8 different roadwork sites i meet on my way. All of which are doing totally pointless things. I know it may be to create jobs which is why there are about 6 flag wavers on each site but come on its just a little crazy.
JeffLee at 12:44 PM JST - 1st November

Do fairies bring it, or does it come by road?

Yes, by EXISTING roads. Read the story. The measure would stop NEW, additional roads. And the governors' stated oncerns are ONLY for their own regional economies. So, they should be the ones to pay. Makes sense, dunnit.
GW at 12:58 PM JST - 1st November

One of Jpns biggest problems is all the pork fueled employment that has gone on for decades(primarily construction related) & has been built up so big especially outside the big cities that it is a real monster.

I think to cut off the monsters head immediately is too harsh, but starting today our taxes really have to be focused on REAL needs & in areas outside the big cities they really need to invest in areas of the economy that can stand on their own feet & fend for themselves instead of the pork that flies around the country that just wastes collosal amounts of $$$.
islands at 01:41 PM JST - 1st November

Can't these guys (governors) find more pressing concerns of how to spend taxpayer's bucks (yen) in society?
DXXJP at 04:23 PM JST - 1st November

Its the end of the year, so the next year construction lottery will be a little slim with out these. Usually they award by sealed bid but everybody in on the scam knows who is building what. Depending on the amount of construction, a small section could get started in january so they can get the payment, and then finished in december so they are able to use all the moneys set aside for the road works. Remember the key here is if there is any moneys left over for road projects then that portion is deducted from the next years allotment. These governors want the projects, and an empty account.
noborito at 08:57 PM JST - 1st November

Let's see... 75% of all construction companies have ties to organized crime in Japan. And of these, all the background deals to get public projects. Wonder why they are upset? Their nest eggs are in jeopardy. Japanese are like lambs. They will buckle to the people who really run this country... the Mafia.
bokudayo at 10:18 PM JST - 1st November

stop building useless dams and we can re-pave all the roads in the country every year.
Sarge at 10:28 PM JST - 1st November

"the government's policy of cutting public works spending"

Maybe Obama can learn something during his upcoming visit here.
Roppichan at 03:13 AM JST - 2nd November

I lived 4 years in the mountains of Miyama (Kyoto) and I have seen this new road constructions. Useless roads end up nowhere and the locals keep quiete because it is a part of their income. Check on Google maps and you can see by yourself. This is Japan, it does not matter, dams, roads, as long as the money goes into the corrupt blokes pockets nothing will change. They built a public hall in Miyama Town (8000 people lived there at that time) and called it " International bla, bla hall " and easily 1500 people could fit in. The only international thing within a radius of 30 km was me. Three years later they had not enough money to pay for the maintenance.