Who Is Watching Japan's Diaster Relief Funds?

By Gary Snyder

An accounting of Japan’s Board of Audit revealed that about half of the country’s reconstruction budget of nearly $239 billion has yet to be spent amid confusion and indecision. The audit cast a harsh light on money that was spent on outlays to many projects seen as unrestrained pork-barrel spending. Another study found that a quarter of the amount raised was allocated to projects unrelated to directly benefit anyone in the disaster zone.

Meanwhile hospitals in the area remain closed and the communities affected by the disaster are chasing finances. Despite the government’s explanations, anger remains high. (NYT)

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