Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO Sorry to have kept you waiting. First of all, I have three items to report on.

That is all from me for now. I will now take your questions.

Q&As

REPORTER: Since the earthquake, we freelance reporters, along with overseas media reporters and Internet journalists have been consistently requesting that we be allowed to attend your press conferences. Even so, there still are those who have not been given permission. With regard to the disclosure of information, the Japanese Government has not exactly been forthcoming with information to overseas and other communication media.

Specifically, again today we did not receive notification about the press conference until quite late. If we had known a month in advance of what was going to happen, we could have submitted requests to attend press conferences, but given the situation this is not possible. What is more, we have been asking Director Sasakawa and Research Conductor Nishimori of the Press Office since the day after the earthquake to allow overseas media into the press conference, but it took 10 days for us to be given permission. Why is this? Are you aware of this fact?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe that it is of utmost importance that we provide accurate information regarding the extremely urgent situation of the latest disaster to as many people as possible regardless of whether they are from Japan or overseas. At the same time, we, including myself, are being kept busy attending to the immediate work of responding to the disaster. Under such circumstances, I strive to disclose information promptly and accurately through the most efficient means. As one way to do this, we have decided just recently to allow internet broadcast stations to attend not only the open press conferences on Fridays but also other conferences as well on behalf of those in the internet media and freelance reporters.

Moreover, videos of my press conferences are being uploaded on the website of the Prime Minister's Office immediately after they take place so that anyone in the country can view them. Additionally, at a certain point, we started to provide simultaneous interpretation so that the information can be sent out in English as well. I realize there are still many criticisms regarding areas in which we are falling short, but we continue to strive to meet the demand we receive to disclose accurate information through various sources as speedily as possible.

REPORTER: I am Hiramoto of Nippon TV. The situation regarding those who have been exposed to radiation was disclosed yesterday through an interview with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and other routes. It has been found that these individuals continued to work despite the fact that the alarm on a dosimeter was going off, believing that it was malfunctioning. Some say this indicates that there may have been some shortcomings regarding the situation surrounding safety control. Please give us your take on this situation.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am very grateful and have deep respect for those who are working with a profound sense of mission under extremely challenging circumstances at the nuclear power plants in order not to somehow worsen the situation but to bring it under control. Under such circumstances, I believe it to be vital that thorough steps be taken to ensure the safety of these workers as they put forth their utmost efforts. Additionally, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) is currently reiterating their instructions to TEPCO. We are striving to continue to ensure safety on one hand, while pushing forward with the greatest possible level of efforts to resolve the situation.

REPORTER: We are fully aware of just how hard those on site are working, as you just said. However, I believe it is also true that such shortcomings regarding safety control increases a sense of distrust among the general pubic, who start suspecting that safety is perhaps not being ensured for those who work on the nuclear power plants. What explanation would you give regarding this heightened level of distrust among the Japanese citizens?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In that sense, I truly believe that this has been a deeply regrettable accident. To deal with the situation, we are asking the cooperation of not only those in charge of radiation management and TEPCO, but also of affiliated electrical power companies, as we must have enough number of workers to work in rotation, in order to limit their exposure to radiation. We will give thorough instructions in order to ensure that there is enough number of personnel in charge of safety management and that the danger of radiation no longer becomes a source of concern.

REPORTER: I am Kuribayashi of Yomiuri Shimbun. On a related note, have you been able to discover the reason for the extremely high level of radiation contamination in the water in the nuclear power plant which caused the workers to become exposed to radiation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We are currently having a group of experts carry out various forms of analysis based on information gained from the site. However, we are not yet at the point of being able to offer any form of definitive answers.

REPORTER: Being at this stage of not yet knowing the reasons for such a high level of radiation contamination, do you still hold the position that the contamination will not affect the coastal fishing industry or the people in the area?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: At the same time as the aforementioned analyses, we are also monitoring the coastal waters. As we reinforce our efforts in this area, we expect to find that a great portion of the contaminated water is going out into the ocean, and therefore, I believe we must fully evaluate the monitoring being done regarding this.

REPORTER: In relation to that, what are your perceptions with regard to possible damage in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 3 reactor?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: With regard to that, during these two weeks, I have also mentioned in the press conferences that there are various possibilities. Going beyond that, rather than saying that there have been further new developments as of the current point in time, as I have mentioned previously, it is possible that there have been radiation leaks from the nuclear reactor or the pressure vessel recently. In addition, we would have to conduct thorough investigations and validation tests to find out if the water originates from the nuclear reactor or the fuel pool. After that, I think that it would also be possible, conversely, to make conjectures or inferences about the situation in the nuclear reactor or fuel pool, so the aim now is to give clear directions to carry out analytical investigations and find out the cause.

REPORTER: I am Kageyama of the Mainichi Shimbun. I believe that Unit 3 was the reactor that had adopted pluthermal power since last autumn. The plutonium used in has strong carcinogenic properties, and in the event of an accident, experts have pointed out that it may result in far more serious consequences than the usual nuclear power generation. Compared to Units 1, 2, and 4, what is your perception regarding the level of danger currently presented by the Unit 3 reactor?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We are handling the situation while receiving advice on the various possibilities and level of danger, as well as the characteristics of each reactor, from all the experts, including the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan. I think the circumstances are the same regardless of the reactor - we have to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. As such, with regard to the plutonium that you have pointed out, and for items that pose a higher level of danger, we have already issued orders for careful and attentive monitoring of the situation to find out if radioactive materials are being released.

REPORTER: I am Hatakeyama, a freelance reporter.
I have a question pertaining to information disclosure. It takes more than two weeks for freelance reporters to lodge a request to participate in the press conferences, and up to this very day, I have been visiting the Press Office daily to seek permission. As for cameras representing the Internet media, it takes one week to receive permission to participate in the press conferences. According to Conductor Nishimori, it had been Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano's decision to limit the regular press conferences for freelance reporters to just once, on Friday afternoons. Earlier, Mr. Edano, you talked about providing information in a speedy manner. Are you not contradicting yourself?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Instructions have previously been given for thorough information disclosure?for each of the relevant departments to properly disclose accurate information - particularly with regard to erroneous data - at the earliest possible moment, and for the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and other ministries and agencies to ensure that the information is available to everyone. With regard to how press conferences are organized, before the earthquake struck, based on the opinions we have gathered from various parties, I had taken the responsibility and made the decision to hold the Chief Cabinet Secretary press conference once a week; I had also just opened the conferences up to freelance reporters when the earthquake struck. Of course, I think that we need to conduct further reviews with regard to this problem. However, to be honest, under the circumstances in which we have to respond to the earthquake disaster and nuclear crisis, I do not think that this is the time to be debating about a fundamental review of this issue. Currently, I am working hard and putting my best effort into communicating the contents of my press conferences in an immediate and direct manner to the people, and to all the freelance reporters.

REPORTER: With regard to the nuclear facilities and radiation issues, in consideration of their significant impact on individuals and the environment, I think that it is essential to take a precautionary principle. Based on that premise, is it not necessary that we assume the worst-case scenario? Has the government come up with a complete worst-case scenario based on the precautionary principle? If so, could you tell us what kind of scenario that is?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have received questions pertaining to that several times before, and I think that the "worst-case scenario" carries a completely different meaning depending on what your premise is. There are many nuclear reactors currently operating in nuclear power plants worldwide; as to the worst-case scenario that could take place, I think that the same conditions apply to all of these nuclear power plants.

With that in mind, with regard to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the tsunami factor made the circumstances different from what it would be like for typical nuclear power plants, and all the members on-site are working tirelessly to resolve this crisis. What we do understand now about the situation at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant is that regardless of the possibilities, of whether the situation takes a turn for the better or worse hereon, great caution is needed. On our part, we are taking measures and issuing instructions to evacuate while taking into consideration all the various possibilities.

REPORTER: I am Yoshikawa of NHK. With regard to the voluntary evacuation of the communities located 20 to 30km from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, many local governments have decided that without a formal evacuation order they will not make a renewed call for a voluntary evacuation. What do you think of this decision? It seems like there is a lack of coordination between the central government and local governments. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe there are nine communities located 20 to 30km from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that have previously been requested to suggest evacuation on a voluntary basis. At present, different circumstances are being faced in different regions by the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and local governments. The order for residents to take shelter indoors has made it difficult for many people to receive supplies from the outside world, and has caused great hardships. There are some areas still facing these circumstances, while in others the situation has improved.

In addition, there are differences in the population of each community and the circumstances being faced. In view of this, as I mentioned in this morning's press conference, together with the other instructions we have given, we have asked local governments to take appropriate measures in coordination with the national and prefectural governments, including suggesting that citizens consider voluntary evacuation. At present, through frequent and close communication with the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and local governments, we are making sure that the lifestyles of all the people currently waiting anxiously indoors can be sustained. At the same time, in preparation for any developments, we are working together with them in a way that fits local circumstances, so as to be ready to respond if an evacuation is required.

REPORTER: As a follow-up question, at what time was the instruction to again suggest evacuation issued last night, and was it an instruction from the Prime Minister?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: This was not an instruction based on the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, rather it was a request made to individual governments from the perspective of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and the NSC in consideration of local circumstances and the possible need for residents to evacuate. That is the nature of the situation.

REPORTER: At what time last night was the instruction issued?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe it was shortly before my press conference this morning. From a practical point of view, we have been proposing that people within 20 to 30km of the plant who require medical treatment evacuate as it is difficult to send the necessary supplies. The central government has been providing them with support to do so, in order to help them evacuate the area quickly. We would like to reconsider what actions to take moving forward based on past experiences.

REPORTER: I am Tanaka of Japan Alternative for Justices and NewCultures (JANJAN). I would like to ask about the voluntary evacuation of residents within the zone 20 to 30km zone. You have previously said that there is the possibility that radioactive materials may be found in areas within this zone, and during the press conference in the morning you said that given the increased levels of radioactivity you cannot rule out the possibility of having to issue an evacuation order. Isn't it too optimistic to leave the decision about evacuation to local governments, even though you have said that they should be working in concert with the central government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Putting it another way, I am not ruling out such a possibility in the event that the current state of affairs persists for a long period of time or the situation gets worse. We are considering various possibilities. That said, the current situation is such that we can fully prevent a health risk by ordering people to stay indoors.

What I meant to say this morning was that we need to consider the overall situation in these regions, including the difficulty of delivering supplies. Although I appreciate the central government's effort to deliver daily necessities to these places, given the shortage of supplies, it is a fully viable option to ask the communities outside the zone to accommodate these people. From a safety perspective, there has been no change to the request that resident within the 20 to 30km zone continue "indoor evacuation," as the NSC commented today.

REPORTER: Even NISA acknowledges the possibility that the fuel rods have been damaged and highly concentrated radioactive materials are being emitted outside. Isn't it possible that the people in the 20 to 30km end up trapped there? I believe that they should have been ordered to leave the zone already. The delayed initial response has led to the current situation. The Prime Minister went to Fukushima Prefecture on the day following the earthquake and made an announcement to the people that the area was safe. The delayed initial response is creating the near-panic situation we see right now.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Based on various analyses conducted by NISA and other institutions concerning the reactors and various kinds of monitoring conducted in the surrounding area to measure the level of radioactivity and other contaminants, experts advise us that from a safety perspective the current policy of "indoor evacuation" is appropriate at this moment. We are issuing instructions on this basis.

However, I would note that the Government is also responding flexibly to the shortage of supplies and other needs. It goes without saying that various safety measures have been taken as needed in accordance with changes in the situation. Rather than waiting until the last moment, for the sake of safety, we have been giving instructions about evacuations in advance based on expert advice. Although I am not ruling out any possibility, depending on how things turn out moving forward, we might take other measures depending on the situation of the reactors and based on expert analysis and various measurements.

REPORTER: Concerning voluntary evacuation, at the joint council meeting on the earthquake disaster held yesterday between the government and each political party, I think there was consensus that the evacuation zone should be expanded. Is there any connection between this and the instruction you are issuing right now?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There is no direct connection. The political parties and the Government both have the same information, and so it is quite natural that we came to the same conclusion.

On the other hand, as the needs or wants and the situation differ for each community, it is not appropriate to order all communities to evacuate. Right now it is the duty of the central government to support those communities that have no choice but to flee due to the failure to obtain supplies and other difficulties. And while doing so, we must listen to and continue to keep in contact with the people still in the area.

If the situation is such that people can sufficiently carry on with their life in a more or less stable manner, we should redouble our efforts to deliver supplies to these communities. We will act flexibly.

REPORTER: I am Kobayashi of TV Asahi. A moment ago, a group led by Mr. Tetsuo Saito, a Diet member affiliated with the New Komeito, submitted a proposal to Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuyama about what should be done regarding tap water. I have heard that he suggested limiting water intake by water treatment plants when it rains. What are the government's opinions on limiting water intake going forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think due consideration must be given to the proposal as one opinion. We will decide on specific actions to be taken based on discussion within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as well as expert analysis.

REPORTER: The Asahi Shimbun reported today that the accident should be considered a Level 6 nuclear incident. The Government's assessment at this point is Level 5. Do you think the assessment should be revised based on this report?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I would like each specialized institution to make a judgment based on their own expertise. The Government is working to put an end to the state of emergency and improve the situation at the nuclear power plant. At the same time, we are also doing our utmost to minimize the damage to human health and other various effects. I think the assessment you mentioned is of a nature that must be left up to an objective and multifaceted judgment on the part of third-party institutions.

REPORTER: I am Hiramoto of Nippon TV. In connection with the meeting between Mr. Fukuyama and Diet members from New Komeito, I heard that Mr. Fukuyama made positive comments about extending bridge loans to farmers who have suffered financial loss due to harmful rumors. What is the current status of discussion on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think it is only natural that the Government and primarily TEPCO compensate farmers who have suffered financial loss directly caused by the order to stop the shipment of certain agricultural products. Also, there are many farmers and ranchers who have been virtually unable to ship their products even though they are not included within the scope of Government instructions.

I think some time is needed to create a framework to decide how much compensation will ultimately be paid and in what way. That said, concerning products for which a certain amount of compensation can likely be expected, we must make sure that relevant institutions, including farm loan institutions, provide bridging funds. There are a number of people who have lost the source of their income. Certain kinds of financial responses may be possible in the light of the situation faced by farmers and ranchers. I have instructed the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to consider these options.

REPORTER: I am from Mainichi Shimbun. My question concerns the use of data collected by information-gathering satellites, an issue which I think was brought up during the morning's press conference. What is the Government's understanding of the extent of damage to Units 1 to 4 at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant based on the images captured by these satellites?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Unlike data directly gathered at the nuclear power plant, information collected by satellite is considered classified. I will just comment that we are making use of everything available to us.

REPORTER: In relation to this, I think knowing the extent of damage will be helpful in devising countermeasures for cooling and other operations. Do you think that the current operations being undertaken are being carried out with a sufficient understanding of the damage at the plant?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: With the cooperation of the SDF and U.S. Military, we are doing everything we can to understand the situation at the plant and the reactors. Experts are analyzing the situation based on the many kinds of data we are collecting.

REPORTER: You said you are doing everything you can to understand the situation, implying that you do not completely understand it yet.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Electricity has just been restored to the plant and various instruments have not been reactivated yet, so the situation is naturally different compared to the other nuclear plants that are fully operating. We are doing as much as we can to understand the situation given the conditions there.

REPORTER: Do you know right now what proportion of instruments are currently working compared to at a normal plant?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think you should ask NISA about that as it is a technical matter.

REPORTER: I am Shimada, a freelance journalist. Regarding the forced evacuation zone, measurements show radiation levels of 1.437mSv even in Minami-soma City, 30km away from the power plant. According to data released in an announcement by MEXT today, the radiation level there is such that residents are receiving 1mSv per day, which is more than the amount of radiation normally received over a whole year. I think that this is causing residents severe distress. Even if the level of radiation is scientifically acceptable, for pregnant women, the stress of living in a radiated area, and the stress caused by reports about irradiation may cause miscarriages or premature births. Have you considered expanding the evacuation zone for pregnant women to 50 or 100km in order to alleviate such stress?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There are a variety of people among those who live in the 20 to 30km area around the power plant, including the elderly, nursing or pregnant women, and bed-stricken people. It is in consideration of these people that in addition to recommending everyone to stay indoors, from an early stage we have been supporting the systematic transport of bed-stricken or hospitalized people or those in a similar state to separate hospitals far away and outside of the area. We must cooperate with local governments on every detail for this work. I intend to exert even more efforts for this in the future.

REPORTER: I have the feeling that you are pushing everything onto local governments. It seems like the Prime Minister's Office and central government is leaving everything up to them and refusing to take any responsibility.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We are working in cooperation with each local government, and I do think that we need to strengthen the ties we have with each area. We must act in a way in line with the local situation. General safety issues are something we must make uniform judgments about, but for issues specific to certain areas we need to be able to act flexibly.

REPORTER: I am Kuribayashi of the Yomiuri Shimbun. Concerning the 20 to 30km voluntary evacuation zone, you said during your morning press conference that the Government would consider whether it was legally possible for an order to evacuate to be given not because of radiation levels but due to the difficulty of continuing to live a normal life in the area. Does this mean that if you can establish a legal base for doing so via the Nuclear Disaster Special Measures Law or some other law you would like to issue the order to evacuate? Or is it the case that even if there was a legal basis for this you would still want to discuss the issuance of an evacuation order?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Concerning the information coming out of the 20 to 30km area around the power plants, I recognize that there are some areas where coordination between the central government and local government is not going very well and that this is placing a burden on residents. I hope to facilitate better communication moving forward and continue with support appropriate to the situation in each area. We are currently undertaking this kind of improvement process.

Within this process, I think there are naturally certain things that we must do uniformly from a safety perspective. With regard to living life in these regions, I hope to consult and communicate with local governments to make decisions on these matters. We are discussing every legal possibility. This is the current situation.

Director of the Press Office: We need to continue with emergency response work, and ask for everyone's cooperation.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Yes?

REPORTER: I am Takashi Uesugi, a freelance journalist. I want to ask about the way information is being shared by the Government. For the past two weeks you have basically said that the reactor is fine, that radiation will not leak out, that even when Unit No. 3 exploded it was okay, that everything is fine and safe. I do not feel at all that things have turned out that way. If you are going to say that anything has gone wrong, why not admit that you have been wrong and correct the way you deliver information? I asked you this last week as well. I don't think you can really say that you only share verified information if you don't admit this and correct the situation. What do you think?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Everything I have said for the past two weeks in these press conferences has been made public immediately on the website of the Prime Minister's Office. I do not believe I really said anything like you said just now. I have said that anything is possible, and that the current state of things is that the Government will consider what to do in light of the situation at the moment when the issue occurs. I did not say anything like what you pointed out.

REPORTER: You stated that the radiation will not have any effect on human health, but is that really true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It depends on the situation in the future. At the current point in time, the radiation level is not high enough to affect human health. I have not said anything conclusive regarding predications for the future. Currently, we are considering every possibility. Although we naturally expect that the situation at the reactor will get better, and although we are exerting every effort to make this happen, if the situation gets worse, and if there is a need to report information and data about this, we will do so. If there is a need, we will give thorough instructions.

REPORTER: It has been reported that the radiation levels were the highest on the fourth day after the earthquake. Looking at updated measurements, they are unfortunately not in line with what you just said. You won't retract what you stated before?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There have been many detailed announcements at many different times. If I have made any objective error regarding the facts, I would like you to again point them out to me, and then I would like to have an answer prepared which includes the opinions of experts. I would appreciate it if you would send in your question in writing.

Director of the Press Office: Are there any other questions?

REPORTER: I asked this question this morning as well, but what is the current state of progress concerning the Prime Minister's observations of the area?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As I have been saying each time, the Prime Minister would like to visit the disaster-stricken regions as much as possible to hear the voices of everyone there. I believe that such action is extremely significant. However, most evacuation shelters are actually extremely busy with many different projects. We are currently considering all available possibilities.

REPORTER: I am Hatakeyama, a freelance journalist. I believe that the Government, NISA and TEPCO are facing an unheard of and unprecedented situation at Fukushima Daiichi and Daini Nuclear Power Plants. Article 3 of the law concerning the payment of reparations for damage caused by a nuclear incident seems to suggest that reparations are not payable for damage caused by serious natural disasters or social unrest, but on the other hand, during question and answer sessions in the Diet in July 2005 and March 2006, Mr. Hidekatsu Yoshii, House of Representatives member and graduate of the Kyoto University Faculty of Engineering Department of Nuclear Engineering, pointed out the danger of turning off the cooling systems at nuclear power plants when the power to the plants is cut off during an earthquake. In other words, it seems to me that the current danger came about because this warning went unheeded. Are you really going to let TEPCO off the hook for this and pay reparations using tax money? I would like to hear your opinion on this point.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We are currently doing everything in our power to ensure that the damage caused by the incident at the nuclear power plants does not spread. Accordingly, at this stage I cannot say anything for sure. I believe we will have to return to the issue once there is more time to discuss it.

That said, I want to state that it is my personal opinion that allowing anyone to easily shrug off responsibility would be unacceptable given the situation up until now and the conditions of society.

Director of the Press Office: Please make any further questions brief.

REPORTER: I am Tanaka of JANJAN. I would like to ask about the way information has been revealed to the public. I have been watching the TEPCO press conferences every day, and while I don't have any specific example from the current situation, there have been times when the company has hidden information from the public - namely, when the company covered up cracks detected in power plant reactor cores in 2002. The lessons learned from that incident seem to have not been applied. The company's attitude has led to the current problem. If the company continues on this way, I worry that it will continue to lead to problem after problem, and that we shall eventually face an even bigger issue. Has the Government issued any orders to TEPCO about the release of more information?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: From an early stage, for some time now, we have strongly and repeatedly requested that TEPCO make factual and speedy reports to us particularly regarding accidents.

We have repeatedly requested that all information and data be sent in detail through NISA to the government, including the Prime Minister's Office. Any information we receive we make public. I want to continue to work in this way moving forward.

It would be unforgivable if TEPCO was hiding anything from the Government or people of Japan. For this reason, the Government will continue to repeatedly demand that accurate information and data be made quickly available to the public.

REPORTER: I am Shimada, a freelance journalist. It has now been two weeks since the earthquake. What kind of operations are being carried out regarding the transportation of the bodies of the deceased?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: On that point, one of the main characteristics of the earthquake is that depending on the region there is a big difference between the state of damage and situation of those affected by the earthquake.

The Government understands that considering how many people perished and how many bodies have been found, in certain regions the holding of memorial services for victims will be extremely difficult. In order to flexibly respond to every situation, we have instructed that all concerned organizations should take steps to make a flexible response possible. I believe that you are all aware of this, but depending on the region and location, the situation is different, so we are not in a situation in which every community can be advised to do the same thing. I want those close to the disaster-stricken areas to act flexibly in consideration of the feelings of the people there. We will continue to do everything we can to help these people.

REPORTER: Is it true that permission has been given to bury some of the bodies on site?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Depending on the location we are responding flexibly in a variety of different ways. My own grandfather buried, and although I realize that cremation is more common now, given the circumstances, I have heard that burial is the most realistic and flexible choice in some areas. Given the situation in each region and the feelings of those working and formerly residing there, I believe that our instructions to respond flexibly and realistically have been carried out well.

Director of the Press Office: I'm sorry but we are out of time. I ask that this be the final question.

REPORTER: Changing the topic, regarding taxation, social security and the TPP, there are some in the Cabinet who are saying that the Government should stick to its deadline of making a decision on these matters by June. The Kan Administration has so far placed a lot of importance on the TPP and the integrated reform of the taxation and social security systems. What affect will the current situation and the earthquake have on these initiatives?

Director of the Press Office: As I said at my press conference this morning, neither the aging of society, slowing birthrate or social security problem will wait for the current disaster to pass. Nor will the great expansion of free trade within the international community. Accordingly, we must continue with work on these issues to the extent that it does not hinder our response to the disaster.

Although these matters are all extremely important political issues, the biggest problem we face now is how to handle support for disaster victims, recovery, reconstruction, and the incident at the nuclear power plants. Our priorities have naturally changed.

CABINET PUBLIC RELATIONS SECRETARY: Are there any other questions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Thank you very much.