JAPANESE GOVT WILL PAY FOR FIXING KOBE

Facing unremitting criticism for its half-speed response to theKobe disaster, the Japanese government stepped up its relief efforts for quake victims by declaring the city a disaster area. This means the government will now shoulder 90 percent of the estimated $58 billion cost of rebuilding the city. In addition, the government eased restrictions on foreign doctors seeking to treat victims of the quake, and reduced the income tax burden on residents who suffered the heaviest losses. But the measures did little to curb the clamor of the opposition New Frontier Party -- some of whose members are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama.