September 18, 2009 Chairman Yano's regular press conference

(Moderator)

Now that it's time, let's start the regular press conference. Well, then, I'm looking forward to working with you.

(Chairman)

Thank Hello. Thank you for your consideration.
There are many themes today as well, but I would like to give you an overview first.
First, I would like to give you an overview of our regular business, and report in August. First of all, Expressway business situation, toll revenue is minus 24.8% compared to the same month last year. High speed is minus 28.0%, monopoly is minus 31.7%. As for the number of passengers, it was a positive 3.4%. High speed is plus 2.7%, and Ichiyu is plus 5.9%. Last August, the weather was bad and the traffic was a little low, so I don't think it's acceptable to see the increase in traffic in August this year. Is increased.
As I always report, the situation by vehicle type is similar to this month. Light vehicles account for 107.7%, regular for 105.5%, medium for 91.1%, large for 88.5%, and oversized for 86.6%. In terms of mileage/km, light is 114.9%, medium is 114.9%, medium is 90.8%, large is 89.9%, and extra large is 89.5%. Also, this trend and the fact that the number of passing cars has managed to decrease, but the fare has decreased significantly, means that this has decreased revenue due to the large increase in various discount amounts.

The ETC discount amount is 36.8 billion yen, which is a significant increase since last year's 16.3 billion yen. As a result, the discount rate by ETC is 47.1%. If there is no ETC discount, the fee revenue will be 47.1 billion yen, which is 78.1 billion yen, which is 5.6% higher than the previous year. It is supposed to. Since the construction situation has not changed since last month, it is as described here.
Also, despite the spread of ETC, the monthly average number of units increased by 16% and the average daily utilization rate was 83.4%, an increase of 10 points compared to last year, which is a big change. Looking at the latest situation, the number from September 4th to September 10th was 84.3%, which was above 84%. Both weekdays and weekends and holidays. This means that the number has increased significantly from August 14th to August 20th last month.

Also, the cumulative number of vehicle-mounted devices installed has increased by 690,000 units compared to July, or 2.5%, to 27.79 million units.

Then, regarding the situation of the service area, sales were 103.7%. Looking at the breakdown, food and drink is 107.3%, product sales is 110.6%, and both food and drink and product sales are 109.3%. The service sector is 111.4%, and the GS and gasoline sectors are 88.1%. Actually, the quantity has increased significantly by 128.0%, but there is a regular unit price difference of 58 yen, and as a result, sales are 88.1%. Advertising department is 166.7%. The above is the business overview for August.

Second, I will report on the earthquake recovery status in the Tomei Makinohara area. As you know, there was an earthquake in the early morning of August 11, and the slopes collapsed. We closed the road at 24:00 on the 15th and opened it safely, but after that, we are starting a review committee aiming for recovery. The first session was held on the 17th, the day after it opened, and we plan to reach a conclusion by the end of October. Managing Director Yoshikawa will explain the detailed contents.

 

(Managing Director Yoshikawa)

My name is Yoshikawa and I am the General Manager of the Maintenance and Service Business Division.
Then, based on the materials you have, we will report the current status of the emergency recovery. Now, the Chairman talked about it, but I would like you to refer to this because I have summarized the 115 hours until the emergency recovery in the materials at hand.

As stated in the current status report, the cause of the collapse of the slope this time is that multiple factors such as topography, seismic intensity, and rainfall are expected to occur together. An Investigation Committee is in place to investigate the cause of this and consider this restoration work. The first session was held on August 17th, as I mentioned earlier, but I would like to hold the second session on September 28th (Monday) in Tokyo. At the 2nd Review Committee, I would like to report on the situation at the site after that and the outline of further strengthening measures for emergency restoration work. The cause of the disaster and this recovery measure will be considered by the 2nd Review Committee.

Today, I would like to briefly explain the situation at the site. This is the second page. Although it is the local situation and the current work situation, the sloped surface that has been temporarily restored is currently in a stable state. So, regarding the current work situation, we are conducting a boring survey to understand the geological condition of the embankment and the foundation ground, and then the geological condition. The boring survey has been completed. The survey results are currently being organized and analyzed. A drilling survey was conducted at 10 locations on the In-bound line side and 2 locations on the Out-bound side. As you can see in this picture.
Then, in preparation for this restoration work after the emergency restoration is completed, we are preparing an approach road for construction from the general road. At the time of emergency recovery, we were working from the main line and Expressway but this time we are approaching from below, so we are making an access route from below. As you can see in the photo, the river section of the river section, then the approach path, the collapsed soil and the drainage facility, and the drainage facility are being constructed.

Next is the third page. Furthermore, as additional reinforcement measures for the embankment, heavy rain is expected in the future due to typhoons and autumn rain fronts, so further strengthening while listening to the opinions of the investigative committee teachers with the aim of improving the stability of the slope. We are taking measures. As an additional reinforcement measure, there is a red colored part of the cross section of this embankment, one is horizontal boring, which is mainly for draining water. Of the 13 scheduled, 6 have already been completed. Next, 16 steel pipe piles will be placed as restraint piles. This is scheduled to start pouring from today. The installation status of the boring machine is shown below. Next is the next page. As I mentioned at the beginning, the Review Committee held the 2nd Committee on Monday, September 28, to study the cause of disaster and this recovery measure, and then report the results of the survey boring, analyze the cause, and perform this recovery. The third committee will announce the final report from mid-to-late October, which means that the restoration work will be carried out and the disaster causes will be summarized and the work will be carried out at similar embankments. I am planning to study about. that's all.

 

(Chairman)

We would like to thank all the people of the press and the local people for the recovery, and we would like to thank all of you for supporting us. Next is the third project, which is a traffic jam forecast during the large holiday period in September. I gave a press release on the 4th, but since it is a great opportunity, I will explain the contents.
Mr. Nakamori, please.

 

(Manager Nakamori)

I'm Nakamori, Maintenance & Service Division. Thank you. We have handed out the materials to you, but please remove them from the clips as they are very thick materials. The nationwide version, the Central Japan version, and the leaflet are accompanied by three guidebooks for traffic jam prediction. This issue has already been announced on September 4th. As the chairman said, this is a great opportunity, so I will explain it in the material on the first page.
The first, but this time, we have decided to have a large holiday in September, and we forecast 9 days from September 19th to 27th. This is the second, but this time we also added the congestion status of the tray to the traffic congestion forecast of GW. Third, as it is written in bold, the large holidays in September had exactly the same day arrangement and number of consecutive holidays as the GW, and as a result, it was predicted that congestion similar to that of the GW would occur. As you can see from the two points marked with ■, the first point is the location where there was no traffic congestion up to now, and the effects of accidents and weather.
In addition, the second point is to inform the customers who use it of the peak time of the traffic jam, so that they can shift the time used and check the latest road information. .. (2) However, we are predicting numerical values for traffic congestion of 10 km or more and 30 km or more by dividing into Out-bound and In-bound lines. Although it is a forecast of 10 km or more, 30 km or more, which is described below the graph, as I said at the beginning, it is announced that it is the same as GW congestion. 10km or more of the traffic jam is In-bound, Out-bound is a total of 181 times. As shown in the lower row, it is a measure to prevent congestion and accidents, so we improved the GW after the special discount on holidays by receiving various opinions from customers, and we will also work on this summer during the busy season. by that towards the holidays, 1) In-bound speed lowering alert measures in such as slope, 2) dark and oppressive feeling relaxation due to illumination up of tunnel lighting, 3) a rear-end collision to jam the end reminder measures, 4) break We have been working on the arrangement of parking lot organizers at facilities, 5) securing parking for large vehicles, and pointed out that GW is not enough 6) installing special toilets. I would like to continue this weekend for the September consecutive holidays. It's short, but that's it. Thank you very much.

 

(Chairman)

Then Kisei Expressway it will be in six months is opened we will report the situation. 15 at Nagoya today Regional Head Office is what I am allowed to announce from, but what I am allowed to will explain in advance. Looking back half a year, we will report at that after three months, you will find the same trend generally. The average traffic volume per day from Odai Omiya to Kisei Ouchiyama is 5,200 units / day, then from Ouchiyama of parallel and national highway No. 42 during the construction Kii-Nagashima until, this is also an increasing number of traffic volume cage you. Then Orimashi decreased and out traffic volume per day of Omiya Odai IC is 3,500 units / day, on the other hand, is a person of Kisei Ouchiyama and out traffic volume is now 5,200 vehicles / day. Mie Prefecture more by opening up to this Ouchiyama, Aichi Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, has been increasingly used traffic volume from Shizuoka east. It is written as a maintenance effect, but the Expressway I think it can be said that the fee reductions of contribute to the tourist promotion of Mie Prefecture, southern. Then if you try to also examine the various facilities of the situation, and there is was a significant increase in equivalent It is Nyukomi customers, I think it can be said that contributes to regional revitalization. Lifesaving case to use the Kisei Ouchiyama IC in the emergency transport is there 55, it says that it can be said to play a function as a "life of the road." So we put a breakdown of the things that I mentioned now in the second and subsequent pages, I think it later and if you can see.

Then Next, I decided to be held because the first time customer service contest. This is a press release of today. I both will have run SA · PA, and we decided intended for staff of the business facilities, customer service contest to carry out the purpose CS, to improve customer satisfaction. And we divide the tube in some areas, first person of 20 people in total from there do the qualifying and has advanced to the finals, do you say that role-playing, and we review the movement in contact with the customers, to finally award thing that. Finals are we supposed to do on October 30. Plan is that qualifying begins in October.

Next Although this is also this press release, the second time menu contest, this was received very popular and we did last year. Is a contest carried out at a restaurant 45 stores in the tube. This time, attention (carefully) Material that the gem of the recommendation by taking advantage of, how do you do a new menu from October 10, 12 months from such as sales situation Toka of tasting examination results chose the final representative menu 8 dishes 18 make the final selection on the day.

The next theme is the deployment of the Holy Land project lover. Already in my both of pipe Hokuriku Expressway though is why is Suizu PA and Tomei of Lake Hamana SA of was elected to the Holy Land, this time to have increased two new locations, Chuo Expressway Suwa SA and Hokuriku Expressway is decided and of Ariisoumi SA, all in was a four places. Do ceremony in Lake Suwa SA on October 18 this opportunity. Then the fact that from November Winter Drive promotion until March next year, because there is also a number around not only the Holy Land of our lover, municipalities try to Susumeyo this kind of planning and we work with there, the tourism association the beginning and I have started the discussion with local residents, we would like to help you in the local through this kind of thing.

Then you will find three but is the next theme related to the environment. One is we want to We, participate actively in preparation for next year's COP10. Is a big international event to be held in Nagoya. Because it from two eyes began joint research on the environment together with other companies it is its content. The other is to use the spring water of the Hida tunnel, we decided to start a hydroelectric power. After that report, we will explain from the direction of INOKUMA of Technical Director 3 together.

 

(Manager Inokuma)

I'm Inokuma, General Manager of Technology Development Department. Thank you. The chairman introduced me, but I would like to explain about three environmental initiatives.

First is participation in related events for COP10. As you can see, COP10 will be held in Nagoya next October. At NEXCO Central Japan, we actively participate in and support COP10-related projects as a part of our efforts to promote regional cooperation and contribution to the environment and sustainable society as a management policy. We will deepen the exchange of information. We are creating an eco-road that considers the natural environment, which contributes to the conservation of biodiversity. There are three events planned for participation by explaining the implementation status related to biodiversity through a panel exhibition. "Environment Day Nagoya 2009", "Chukeiren Techno Fair 2009" and "COP10 1 year ago commemorative event". At the memorial event one year before the opening of COP10 at the bottom, in addition to the panel display, we plan to have hands-on learning to replant the regional seedlings we are growing into cultivation pots. I will.

This is the next theme. It is the start of joint development research aimed at reducing the environmental load. We have decided to start two joint research projects. The first is a study on medium temperature technology for asphalt pavement. Asphalt pavement is heated during construction. At that time, there is CO2 emission, but for the purpose of suppressing it and shortening the traffic regulation time, the manufacturing temperature of the asphalt mixture is lowered from 180 to 100 degrees by lowering it from the normal temperature. The purpose is to not be able to. We have signed a contract to start such joint research. As stated here, the contract period is until August 2012, and we plan to make a contract with Toa Road Industry Co., Ltd., Nippon Road Co., Ltd., and NIPPO Co., Ltd. This research will be conducted with the participation of Nakanihon Highway Engineering Tokyo, a Companies in our Group.

Next is the second joint research, which is a research on the manufacturing technology of wood pellets using the maintenance and management plant generating material. From the road maintenance work, the generated material mainly consisting of plants and hay is generated, and we will develop whether or not it can be used as fuel in pellets. Regarding this, there are wood pellets, but there is no marketable pellet mainly made of grass, so I will develop it. The contract period is as stated, and there are two companies, Shinko Koki Co., Ltd. and Oike Iron Works Co., Ltd.

Next is the introduction of hydroelectric power generation using spring water from the Hida tunnel. The Hida Tunnel started operations in July 2008, but there was spring water during the construction work. So now, the spring water is partly used as a water source for emergency equipment such as tunnels, but the remaining water is discharged to the neighboring Shogawa. The amount is 0.7 m3/sec, so if you roughly calculate it, it will be the same as the daily water consumption of a city of about 150,000 people. By making effective use of this, we planned whether hydroelectric power generation would be possible. We would like to try to reduce CO2 emissions by supplying the generated power to tunnel lighting. According to the current estimation, it is estimated that it is possible to reduce approximately 30% of the annual power consumption of the Hida tunnel. Hydropower is the first NEXCO Central Japan initiative, but it will be supported by the Expressway related Social Contribution Council. It means that we are currently looking for construction on the homepage listed. That is all for the explanation.

 

(Chairman)

This concludes the introduction.

 

(Moderator)

So I'd like to take your questions.

(Reporter)

When does hydroelectric power generation in the Hida tunnel plan to start actual power generation? Also, this is the first time for hydroelectric power generation in a tunnel at Central Japan Expressway, but is it unusual in Japan?

(Manager Inokuma)

This is the first initiative for Central Japan. The public contribution for construction is being made on the website of the Social Contribution Council, and the deadline is October 9. After that, there is a procedure to decide who will actually do it, but the assumed construction period is 360 days.

(Reporter)

That means that the electricity generated will be supplied by the end of next year.

(Manager Inokuma)

At the end of next year, at the end of next year, the electricity generated will illuminate the lights.

(Reporter)

Is there any such effort outside Central Japan?

(Manager Inokuma)

I've heard that small-scale hydropower is occurring in many places.

(Reporter)

Is this bigger than that?

(Manager Inokuma)

It's not the largest level, but there are smaller generations.

(Reporter)

It means that the lighting power consumption can be reduced by 4 million yen a year, but how many years can you make up for it compared to the installation cost?

(Manager Inokuma)

We have a generous amount of money, but since we are open to the public, we will refrain from saying that amount. Such machines have a depreciation period of about 30 years. In reality, of course it is necessary to do overhauls and inspections, but the current assumption is that you can pay enough during that period.

(Reporter)

The new Hatoyama Cabinet was born this week, and I would like to hear your expectations and impressions about it, and I think that Expressway will finally become a reality, but please tell us your thoughts on that. Please give me.

(Chairman)

The economy in the world is still bad. I would like the new administration to take economic measures, which is called economic measures.
What I really feel through our business is the low traffic volume of trucks. I think this is proof that industrial activities are falling.
Also, although there is no direct relation now, looking at the employment situation, the ratio of job offers to applicants and the unemployment rate are really getting worse, so I think this is really an indicator of the actual economy. If the employment situation is bad, personal consumption will not increase. Although personal consumption and capital investment are the driving forces of the economy, the ratio of personal consumption is 60% or 70%. I think that if the employment situation is bad, the string of the wallet will become stiff and personal consumption will not increase. After all, I would like to call it economic policy or economic stimulus, and I hope that you can put it into that direction to really bring back the vitality of the private sector.
Then, regarding the issue of free charges, this is the place where I held regular meetings last month and at various places, I have been giving opinions, but this is a discussion of the principle theory, and such issues are I have frankly said that there is. I think that we are at the stage of each discussion from now on. I have not heard the new minister's thoughts directly, but it is said that it will be implemented in stages, the point is that it is basically free of charge, partly free of charge, and it will be implemented in stages. I've heard indirectly that the treatment of 1,000 yen discount is considered as a social experiment, and if that happens, I think that we will firmly evaluate the measures we have taken so far and move on to the next.
In terms of our private sense, it is often called PDCA, but it is called Plan, Do, Check, Action. When a certain measure is taken, it is evaluated properly and the next based on the result. Think of measures. I think that turning the PDCA process is the most realistic method.
Also, since it is a policy that has a great social impact, I think it is necessary to have a forum for discussion that involves as many people as possible. I am very sorry to bring up a slightly old-fashioned story, but at the beginning of the Meiji era, there was a phrase saying "we should hold a conference widely and decide on the public opinion of all machines", but I think that such thing is always necessary. .. And I think that the surest way is to move on to the next based on various opinions that have appeared there, achievements, and analysis results. That is what I am thinking about now.

(Reporter)

I would like to talk about each issue specifically, such as the problem of traffic jams, or the issue of employment when completely free of charge. What are your thoughts on each?

(Chairman)

I did not touch on the principle theory since I mentioned it at the last conference, but it will be repeated once more, but since Meishin has been established for 44 years, the history of fee-charging is for 40 years or more. However, I think that toll roads have consistently been supported by the people. One thing is that we must think about what it should be based on this history.
Even though I am traveling around the jurisdiction widely, I have heard a lot of voices saying "I want you to do something because the price is high". Therefore, in that sense, we have been doing ETC discounts within the range that we can do ourselves, and have discounted up to 30% apart from the upcoming discount. I should do it by clenching my teeth. I came up thinking that I needed to meet the passionate demands of local people and people in various industries. Various government discounts have been made since last year. While there is such a voice, I do not hear many people wanting it to be completely free. There is one thing.
Then the issue of financial resources is widely debated, so it has to be tightly packed with it. Even if the financial resources are solved, the issue of fairness remains. In other words, I think that roads should be borne by those who use them. Particularly, the roads that are completed will be damaged, but the principle of beneficiary burden, which should be borne by the users, must be debated. I think it's not about money, but rather about morals. There is a lot of debate, and I think that once everyone has a new consensus, that is one solution.
Then there's congestion and traffic. This was proved during the May holidays and Obon Festival. I would also like to pay attention to what happens during the large holidays starting tomorrow. It is possible to speculate that if this becomes free, it will progress further. I think that there still needs to be an evaluation based on the facts.
Naturally, Expressway are very good for the environment because they emit less carbon dioxide than ordinary roads. There is a problem that the effect will fade if this is heavily congested.
Then, we are studying through newspapers recently, and it seems that there are opinions of everyone in various industries, and I think that it is necessary to examine the relationship with other transportation systems and such things. I will.
To put it directly, it is the hiring of toll collectors. Are there 16 to 7,000 people working directly at NEXCO3? With a backup unit, it's roughly 20,000. Especially those who are directly engaged in work are around the age of 60, and it is a very difficult generation to find a new job. I think it is even more so when the unemployment rate is very high as it is now. On the other hand, if I say that each NEXCO company has absorption capacity, it is honestly extremely thin. After all, there is a high possibility that many people will be unemployed, so there is the problem that we must consider re-employment. At the beginning, I touched on the problem of employment, but 20,000 people may be a little from the whole country, but it is a big problem for each family and company. I would like many people to know about it, and I would be grateful if you could discuss with us what to do with them.
I have returned to the principle theory, but I think that the principle theory is understood by many people as a theme. I'm not entirely confident that much, but I hope that we will continue to address such important issues in various situations in the future.

(Reporter)

In each of the discussions, I think that there is a problem as the president has just said, but I would like to hear the broad opinions that I mentioned earlier, but what do you think should be done as the president?

(Chairman)

I think there should be a place for neutral discussions. There may be a form in which a lot of people are invited to become members of the committee, and I think they are invited to talk. We haven't decided exactly what kind of method is good, but from that perspective, I think it would be nice to decide what kind of mechanism would be good.

(Reporter)

In some cases, is it possible to accept it if it is completely free after hearing a wide range of opinions?

(Chairman)

In other words, if a new national consensus is to be born there, this is a democratic country, so I think we will go in that direction. However, as stated in the Democratic Party manifest, it does not mean that it is completely free. In principle, free of charge, in other words, free of charge. Since I will decide how to do it step by step while conducting social experiments, I feel that this is in a sense trying to follow a realistic path, I do not feel like it will be a place.

(Reporter)

I think that you said earlier that there was a need for a national consensus at the meeting at the end of August because it was a national consensus. I think there is a way of thinking that the Democratic Party, which sought to make it free, won when it could be put out, could be said to be one national consensus. What do you think about that point?

(Chairman)

Even if you consider your own voting behavior, there are very detailed themes and those that are not so.I wonder how about this theme, but if you like this theme, I will agree with it, there are various votes in voting. I think there is a motive. Therefore, as a consensus, there is no doubt that the Democratic Party's policy was upheld. As a whole. It may be realistic to think that there are pros and cons when looking at each of its contents. I think there needs to be a place to discuss and make decisions about it.

(Reporter)

It was said that I did not hear much about the voice of free, but the fact that the discount of 1,000 yen actually started, truck operators and such transporters from NEXCO Central Japan to the government Is there actually a voice asking me to tell you, or undo it?

(Chairman)

There is no such thing in particular.
There has always been a desire for it to be cheaper, and the Democratic Party has said that it will be free, and a new situation was born, but in the opinion of various customers that we are in direct contact, it is cheaper. There is a demand, but I haven't heard from anyone who clearly said that it would be free.

(Reporter)

You've heard the voice that you want to make it cheaper, but is there a possibility that there will be room to make it cheaper in the form of a private company?

(Chairman)

There is a time discount that we have been doing for a while. Then a large frequent discount. I've been doing my best to do this by myself. The higher the penetration rate of ETC, the greater the burden. It may have been around 28-29% before the new discount. But I wanted to do my best even if the penetration rate increases in the future. Roughly speaking, it is 30%. I was thinking that I would do my best for the 30% discount. I believe that the company will not have more than that. The former government decided on economic measures, but I started a new discount at the end of March, such as a 1,000 yen discount. This is why I welcomed it. I thought that if the country could do something that the company could not do on its own, it would be good for the customer. That's why I've come up to today, and as a manager, I think that about 30% is the limit when it comes to how much you can bear the question now.

(Reporter)

It seems that the people of NEXCO3 and other transportation managers are appealing for the above assertion, but what kind of method will be used to convey such an appeal to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism? Are you thinking of a different schedule or method?

(Chairman)

We have not yet decided on a specific method. Probably everyone in each industry will act with their own claims. We will be the same for NEXCO 3 companies in the future, and I would like to proceed while discussing what kind of direction as a road company is good.

(Reporter)

I think that the Hatoyama administration is talking about the suspension of supplementary budget execution. I think there are some sections of the merger enforcement within NEXCO Central Japan jurisdiction, but please tell us about the handling and way of thinking.

(Chairman)

This is a very influential issue, but it will wait for the new administration's policy. Of course, in the process, I think that the opinions of the local people and the opinions of various people will be heard and decisions will be made. Our company has sections with 4 lanes, so if the policy is decided, I think that it will follow that. There are various cases, such as the fact that we are not making an order, but we are waiting for what direction we are going.

(Reporter)

Does that mean stopping work until the administration's intentions are clear? Or, I think you inherited it from the previous administration, but is it that you will proceed with the work until the intention comes out?

(Chairman)

In the case of merger enforcement, I think that the impact will be very large, because it is mostly the national budget. If something we can do on its own and the financial support isn't clear, I think we have to wait for a while. However, it means that we will proceed with preparations, so we are proceeding with preparations while consulting with the people concerned, including local and local governments. Even if there is financial resources, it is not ready immediately because it is still in preparation, but for example, as I explained from the beginning about 4 lanes of Tokai Hokuriku, our hope is, I would like to place an order within the year. We are preparing diligently, but the financial resources are as you are aware, and if it disappears, we can not move. The situation is that we are preparing after understanding such restrictions.

(Reporter)

It was mentioned in today's Asahi Shimbun that the construction company in Gifu prefecture will give a local priority bid in a special exception in July regarding the construction of four lanes on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy but when I hear the story of the chairman, It was to watch over the situation, but what does this mean?

(Chairman)

I have not placed an order yet, so I explained the policy of ordering at a regular meeting in June before.
The major premise is competitive bidding. Competitive conditions are the first priority. Since it was carried out as an economic measure on that basis, we think that it is necessary to give consideration to small and medium-sized enterprises and local enterprises, and when small construction occurs, we are trying to attach regional requirements (1.1 billion yen or less) I will. But there can be no regional requirements without competitive conditions. I would like to proceed after understanding such a point.

(Reporter)

For now, don't you know if you'll do a local priority bid?

(Chairman)

Until now, we have also ordered many jobs. The data is solid, and there are many companies that can apply for certain ordering requirements, for example. There are many companies that have their headquarters in Gifu Prefecture. If some of them apply for it, then I think it will be a competitive condition. It means to try on it.

(Reporter)

For the time being, do you want to narrow down in Gifu Prefecture?

(Chairman)

We wanted to increase the number of opportunities to participate in the bid for the construction of less than 1.1 billion yen, so we treated it as announced previously. In fact, it's still not working at all. From now on, I hope that I can somehow place an order within the year. Since we are actually conducting various surveys and making plans, it will be from that time on what kind of units can be ordered, from now on. This means that some projects are large and some are small.

(Reporter)

Do you mean that you are taking over the local priority given by the MLIT? Or does it mean that there is no review?

(Chairman)

It was a review, or a company policy. I'm not going to change that now.

(Reporter)

I understand that the company's policy is to make community contribution as one of its pillars, but please explain why you had to make a contribution to the community in this way. If it means economic measures, it is not an economic measure for Gifu Prefecture, and I would like to hear your opinion on that point.

(Chairman)

All of the applicable 4-lane construction sections are in Gifu Prefecture. In that sense, we considered regional requirements to make the most of regional characteristics. We have considerable experience and know-how in procuring materials, for example, how to approach approach roads, and negotiations with local governments. I was wondering if that would be the case because the work is only in Gifu Prefecture. I do not know how it is done in areas outside our jurisdiction, but that is the position of the 4-lane section of the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway that we are going to do. If it's a big construction, it doesn't have local requirements, so that's fine. After all, I think that consideration for small and medium-sized enterprises and consideration for local enterprises are necessary to some extent. We made decisions based on the significance of economic policy.

(Reporter)

Is it because the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism should handle the merger enforcement section?

(Chairman)

Especially it is not. It is necessary to make detailed decisions about how to divide the work in the future. Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway has four lanes, it will cost 89 billion yen, of which 8.5 billion yen will be borne by the Company. Up to that point has been decided, but details have to be decided from now on.

(Reporter)

It seems that Minister Maehara will take the time to make the Expressway free, and it seems that he will listen to various opinions. How do you think about it?

(Chairman)

As I mentioned earlier, I think you mentioned the idea of going step by step, that is, what it means, listening to the opinions of many people and verifying the effect of what you actually did The process of doing is involved. We are people of a private company, so I immediately think about it, but I understand that it would be nice if we could follow the PDCA process. I haven't heard from you directly, so I can't say anything further, but I'm at the stage of making various guesses based on the glimpse.

(Reporter)

In connection with the current situation, it may be political or tactical to say that the Democratic Party's Expressway principle will be free of charge, but what kind of place do you presume that the aim is? ..

(Chairman)

I think this is an unanswerable question. At first I wonder if there is such a way of thinking, and we are human beings in the business world, so when a certain theme is presented, we can understand what kind of problem it will have. You see the scene every day. So I have said that every time I was asked by everyone, there is an extreme where one side is completely paid system without discount and one side is completely free. In the meantime, there were various opinions, and at first I was surprised to hear that it was all free, but when you listen to the story, it seems that it seems not to be true, even if you look at the manifest. This full-fledged payment also means that it will be completely amortized, so now that we are hearing the voices of the world, we are actually getting some discount. Looking at the whole picture, I think that the two extremes do not exist now, and that various options are being created in the meantime. At that point, I don't know if I answered the question so much.

(Reporter)

In a slightly larger story, the Democratic Party is looking to review or reduce public works projects. What are your thoughts on the impact of the review work around that on your business?

(Chairman)

I think it depends on the stage of progress. The things that have progressed considerably have a big impact, and there is the effect that expectations will be lost in the future, but I think that it depends on the stage of progress. Therefore, I guess that it is difficult to evaluate uniformly, so I wonder if we will take such steps from now on. I only think of things that are quite common sense to me, and I'm not sure if that is the case, because it's a human guess.

(Moderator)

is this good. How else? That's all for today. Thank you very much.