Devising restoration programs No. 1 priority for government
The Great East Japan Earthquake has caused declines in both the production and consumption of various goods. There are fears the situation will slow down the economy.
The government downgraded its basic assessment of the nation's economy in its monthly economic report for April, saying: "It is now showing some weakness." The government's report for the previous month said the economy was "looking to pick up."
This likely means the economy, which had been slowly recovering, started to decline because of the impact of the terrible disaster. The damage caused by the quake and tsunami is so immense that a temporary economic slowdown is unavoidable. What is important now is to prevent aggravation of the slowdown.
The government and the Bank of Japan must do their best to prevent the Japanese economy from falling into a quake-induced recession, through the flexible implementation of necessary policy measures.
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Help small firms, self-employed
Many firms and factories in areas hit by the March 11 quake and tsunami do not know when they will be able to restart operations. Many people do not know which way to turn, having lost both their homes and jobs.
First, programs should be devised as soon as possible to help small and midsize companies and self-employed people trying to restart production of goods and other business operations.
Most important is for the government to quickly compile a supplementary budget for this fiscal year and pass it in the Diet to start full-fledged restoration efforts.
When fiscal funds are injected, demand and employment will be created in the disaster-hit areas. The restoration programs will surely become a foothold for people to reconstruct their lives.
Financial support measures also should be expanded greatly, including public loan programs to help the fund-raising efforts of small and midsize companies.
The Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 had almost no adverse effect on the overall economy, as the demand generated by restoration programs supported the economy.
This time, however, the disaster struck over a vast area. Many parts factories were destroyed or damaged, resulting in supply shortages for various products. As a result, the production of automobiles and other items was suspended all over the country.
The situation was further exacerbated by the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. in Fukushima Prefecture.
Economic activities around the nuclear power plant have been paralyzed. Due to radioactive contamination, restrictions are still in place on shipments of agricultural products, and fishermen are refraining from going out in their boats.
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Overreactions damaging
Damage caused by rumors is also expanding, with overreactions in other countries particularly noticeable. Some countries have demanded certificates guaranteeing there are no radiation problems with not only food products but even industrial goods from Japan. The number of foreign tourists in the country has also sharply declined.
To prevent the acceleration of this "stay away from Japan" phenomenon, we urge the government and TEPCO to bring the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 plant under control as soon as possible.
The atmosphere of self-restraint that has prevented people from traveling and holding parties has led to a decline in consumption. We must return to normal purchasing activity.
Scheduled power outages in the Tokyo metropolitan area have come to an end for now, but the shortage of power remains the most significant factor preventing a return to the robust production of goods.
Both the government and the private sector must rack their brains for ways to increase power supply capacity and effectively save electricity in summer, when demand will rise due to increased use of air conditioning.
Organ transplants mark medical, legal milestone
The heart, lungs and other organs of a boy who was declared brain-dead after he sustained serious head injuries in a traffic accident were being transplanted into five patients on Wednesday.
It was the first time for organ transplants to be made from a brain-dead child under 15, in accordance with the revised Organ Transplant Law that took effect in July. The heart of the donor, identified only as a boy from 10 to 14 years old, was transplanted to a boy in his late teens, in line with a new rule of prioritizing young recipients for heart transplants from donors under 18.
The fact that an organ transplant from a donor under 15--which was only possible abroad before the law's revision--has become a reality in Japan may be the first step toward a day when all necessary organ transplants can be carried out within the country.
The relevant law, which originally came into force in 1997, allowed organ transplants only if would-be donors themselves had made clear their intention of donating organs through written forms such as donor cards.
Under the Civil Code, a legal declaration of intent can be made only by those aged 15 or above, effectively forbidding the transplant of organs from donors under 15.
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Child patients driven abroad
Consequently, parents of infants who needed small internal organs had no option but to go abroad in the hope of receiving organ transplants.
Such cases of families seeking transplants abroad because it was impossible at home drew international criticism.
The revision of the transplant law was also prompted by new guidelines adopted by the World Health Organization, which urge countries to carry out transplants domestically.
The revised law, like those adopted in Europe and the United States, makes it possible for organs to be donated based on the decision of the would-be donor's family, as long as the brain-dead patient, irrespective of age, has not previously made a clear refusal to donate organs.
In the latest case, the diagnosis of brain death and the donation of organs were made with the approval of the young donor's family, including his parents.
Over a period of 13 years until the law's revision, there were 86 cases of organ transplants from brain-dead donors. Within the nine-month period since the revision, there have already been 42 cases of organ transplants, with the "relay of life" running at a pace nearly 10 times faster than before.
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Stick to proper procedures
Sooner or later, there will be donations of organs from even younger children. In the case of child donors, the brain death diagnosis should be conducted with utmost strictness, making sure the children have not been abused by their parents.
In the latest case, the process by which these matters were properly checked and confirmed has been disclosed to a certain extent. But it is necessary to disclose more detailed information, including how the relevant examination and discussions were carried out within the hospital before the donor was declared brain-dead.
To foster trust in organ transplants from children, strict verification must be carried out.
We cannot help thinking about the importance of the parents' decision to consent to organ donation, even in the midst of their sorrow over the loss of their beloved son, who until recently had his own future.
The parents said in a statement: "Our son used to say that he would some day like to achieve something great and useful to society. Making use of his body for people who will live on thanks to the gift of his organs is in keeping with his wishes."
To further fulfill the wishes of the boy and his parents, we should continue to steadily advance in the organ transplant field.
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