The central government is telling local and prefectural governments as well as public corporations to return ¥101.7 billion in unused disaster reconstruction funds.

The move comes after the Reconstruction Agency scrutinized how the money is being used amid growing criticism that it may have gone for other purposes, such as boosting employment outside the areas actually hit by the twin disasters of March 11, 2011.

It is extremely rare for the central government to demand the return of funds already allocated.