The Japanese government said Wednesday that the economic cost of the earthquake on March 11 and tsunami could be as much as $308 billion, which is more than double the cost of the Kobe earthquake that happened in 1995.Construction and related costs are expected to total 16 trillion to 25 trillion yen, according to reports. The estimate is focused on infrastructure-related damages, as well as damages to homes, factories and other buildings. However, it does not take into account losses related to the nuclear-power plant.The report also said that the disaster is expected to knock about half a percentage point off economic growth in the next fiscal year.