In response to public concern, the government will draft a statement explaining the bailout of department store operator Sogo Co. with taxpayers' money, officials said Friday.
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's Cabinet decided in a meeting that morning to compile the statement and announce it before a session of the House of Representatives Finance Committee on July 17, the officials said.
The plan was proposed by Construction Minister Chikage Ogi, who said taxpayers were concerned their money would be used "without principle" to help other companies, the officials said.