Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO Good morning. I have a few things to report to you.

First is a request to the people of Japan and to all relevant parties regarding transportation of goods.

Yesterday, on March 16, the Ministry of Defense created a system for the Self-Defense Forces to transport relief materials provided by local government bodies and the private sector. In this scheme, prefectural governments are in charge of processing SDF delivery requests for relief materials from local government bodies and the private sector. Municipalities and companies that wish to provide relief materials should therefore contact the prefectural governments and make arrangements on that basis.

We would also like to ask that donors refrain from providing fresh or easily perishable foods, or other items that do not keep well. Some donors have been bringing items in directly, which has led to some confusion. While we want to deal with this situation flexibly, in order to avoid confusion, we ask that these kind offers be directed to the prefectural government authorities. Thank you very much for your understanding.

Next I will report on the telephone conference between Prime Minister Kan and US President Obama.

From 10:22 to 10:52 this morning, President Obama and Prime Minister Kan conferred by telephone.

President Obama expressed his profound sympathy. He also reiterated to the prime minister that the United States was prepared not just to address immediate issues, but also to extend a full range of aid, including dispatching more nuclear power specialists and participating in medium- to long-term reconstruction.

Prime Minister Kan expressed his gratitude for the US support. In regard to the ongoing situation at the nuclear power station, he explained that the government has mobilized its whole organization, including the police and the Self-Defense Forces, and is doing everything in its power to respond to the situation. He also said that specialists on the Japanese side would continue to collaborate closely with the nuclear power experts dispatched from the United States.

In terms of efforts to supply water for cooling at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, I understand that a report is being issued right about now by the Minister of Defense, to the effect that work to supply water to the power station has been carried out. Through combined missions by the Self-Defense Forces to supply water from the air and by the police to supply water from the ground level with high-pressure pumps, we are doing our very best to achieve cooling as soon as possible.

In this context, we have issued instructions for people to evacuate the immediate vicinity of the power station, and for people within a 20 to 30 kilometer radius to remain indoors. We are providing people with the necessary attention, including in areas already evacuated, with priority given to the sick, those requiring special care, and pregnant women.

At the moment, we are doing our utmost to respond to the needs of people who have been asked to remain indoors, particularly those who are especially vulnerable to disaster. I would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone, particularly those working in providing medical attention and care in these areas, to continue their calm and collected response, particularly in providing support to the vulnerable and those with special needs.

That is all from me for now.