Minister of Agriculture to provide guidance to assistant trainers and others to restore trust

In a press conference, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Nogami, who is in charge of the JRA, stated that it was "extremely regrettable" that assistant trainers and others working at the JRA's training center were receiving the government's "sustaining benefits" to combat the new coronavirus in a manner that deviated from the purpose of the program. The Japan Racing Association (JRA), which works at the training center, has been working on the issue.

This month, the JRA announced the results of an investigation that found that 164 people, including assistant trainers working at the training center, had received approximately 190 million yen in benefits, deviating from the purpose of the "sustainability benefit" system.

At a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Nogami said, "It is extremely regrettable that there were people involved in the Kyusha who inappropriately received the sustaining benefits and did not return the money, despite our warnings.

He then revealed that he had received a report from the JRA that they were planning to take disciplinary action against those involved, and stated, "I would like to instruct the JRA to work with the Japan Trainers' Association and others to restore the public's trust in horse racing.

Mr. Kajiyama, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, who is in charge of the sustaining benefits program, also stated, "The sustaining benefits program is designed to support the continuation of businesses that have been severely affected by the spread of the new coronavirus. We would like to deal with this issue strictly in cooperation with related organizations.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210309/k10012905451000.html