As late as nine months after the March 11 quake and tsunami, the foundation for pushing reconstruction has firmed up after the Diet finally enacted the fiscal 2011 third supplementary budget and laws to secure reconstruction funds, establish the Reconstruction Agency and set up "reconstruction special zones" (fukko tokku).
More than ¥11.7 trillion will be poured for reconstruction efforts. The financial burden on tsunami-hit municipalities to move communities to highlands will become virtually zero. Disaster-hit 222 municipalities in 11 prefectures can apply for establishment of special zones to which special treatment such as deregulation and tax privileges will be provided. Reconstruction efforts have been much delayed and such efforts cannot be left to local governments. The central government should help municipalities so that they will be fully ready to execute budgets for reconstruction.
To receive special zone designation, municipalities are required to work out specific plans, which needs a lot of work. Moving communities to highlands and land rezoning need specialists who can design projects and order necessary materials. Also, administrative workers need to create consensus among local residents concerning the moving of communities and rezoning.