Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Good morning. First of all, an extraordinary Cabinet meeting was held today. The meeting approved one general measure and the promulgation of laws and Cabinet orders.

That is all from me at this time.

Q&As

REPORTER: I am Sato of the Asahi Shimbun. Did the extraordinary Cabinet meeting today drop the child allowance bills or others?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: No, there was no such decision in the meeting today. In the Diet Affairs Committee the Government is engaged in consultations with opposition parties and if necessary this issue will be submitted to a Cabinet meeting for a decision.

REPORTER: The child allowance draft bill is one of the flagship policies of the DPJ administration. What is the Government's view of the deliberations taking place in the Diet Affairs Committee to consider dropping this draft bill?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: First of all, the current fiscal year is about to come to an end. This means that the current law will expire. This would create great inconvenience for those people who are entitled to receive benefits but who would cease to receive the child allowance with the expiration of the law and also for the local governments, which are responsible for processing these benefits. It is therefore extremely important to ensure that we can enter a new fiscal year without causing inconvenience to all concerned. Given the current situation in the Diet it is important to continue to engage in discussions with a view to the future and on the basis of various opinions. Given this situation all parties are currently engaged in consultations.

REPORTER: I am Kuribayashi of the Yomiuri Shimbun. On a related note, if the child allowance bill is revised, depending on how it is implemented it could be the case that burden on some households will increase. Have you given sufficient thought to the way the system is designed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Firstly, we are seeking to minimize confusion at the beginning of the new fiscal year. With this in mind, the Government believes that the draft bill that has been submitted to the Diet is the ideal version, but that is for the Diet to decide. A final conclusion will be drawn based on various discussions in the Diet.

REPORTER: I am Sato of the Asahi Shimbun. According to reports by the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun this morning the administration of Prime Minister Kan is considering ways to counter radiation, including covering the nuclear power plant with a special cloth to prevent the dispersal of radiation, or the collection of contaminated water in tankers. What is the status of these considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Currently various possibilities and methods are being considered by experts in order to contain the situation at the nuclear power plant and to minimize the radioactive contamination of the surrounding area and prevent damage to health. The methods that have been reported in the press are indeed among those being considered, but a final decision has yet to be reached on the method that is likely to be feasible and most effective.

REPORTER: I have another question. Yesterday in a press conference the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) gave its view that the cooling of the reactors and the spent fuel rods could take years to complete. Do you think this forecast is a reasonable one?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The Government must make policy and political decisions on the basis of the opinions of experts. It is likely that it will take some considerable time before the temperature of the fuel rods in the nuclear reactor and the spent fuel rods is lowered to a stable level. Therefore our primary aim is to find a way to cool the nuclear power plant in a stable manner and return it to a normal temperature. Naturally experts are also considering various other scenarios.

REPORTER: I am Yoshikawa of NHK. I have a question about agricultural products that are subject to shipment and consumption restrictions. The data for some of these products that are subject to restriction are already below the stipulated safety limits. What is the Government's view at the current point on the lifting of restrictions for such products?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Naturally there are no shipment restrictions on safe products, or to put it another way, those products that are not subject to restrictions are safe. I would ask for the cooperation of distributors and consumers alike in understanding this point, and therefore ensure that people working in the agricultural industry and others are not adversely impacted by groundless rumors.

In addition, with regard to products that have been subjected to shipment restrictions due to readings that at one point have exceeded stipulated limits, if, after stringent monitoring, it is confirmed that their safety can be continuously ensured, then at that point we would look into lifting shipment restrictions as promptly as possible. However, as I have said on previous occasions, the data readings are impacted by various factors, including atmospheric conditions and weather. Given this situation, for products that may have shown readings below stipulated limits, we are already considering at what stage a decision could be made, on the basis of expert monitoring and analysis.

REPORTER: The other day the governor of Tokyo and other prefecture around Tokyo made a request for clear guidance on the methodology for removing restrictions. Is it possible to provide such a methodology?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: This point regarding a methodology for removing restrictions is of course a great concern to people involved and the Government would like to formulate such a methodology at an early stage and publicize it in an easily understandable format.

REPORTER: I am Koketsu of Jiji Press. You just stated the view that the situation at the power plant would take a considerable amount of time to deal with. Does the Government have any plans to review the current evacuation order and voluntary evacuation advisory, given the long-term outlook for this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We issued evacuation orders and other advisories based on the various scenarios that were thought possible at the time and from the perspective of protecting the health of the people. If the current situation continues for the long term there is naturally a possibility that after some time it will be necessary to make a response to reassess safety considerations. As I said a few days ago, if the volume of radiation stabilizes we are also looking into the possibility of allowing people to make a temporary return to their homes, which is something that many people have requested. We are already looking into various possibilities from the perspective of ensuring safety, and based on objective monitoring of radiation and the volume of radioactive materials in the atmosphere.

REPORTER: The level of contamination in the area surrounding the nuclear power plant is not decreasing. Please tell us again how you perceive the damage to Units 2 and 3.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have already stated that radioactive material has been coming out from the reactor through a certain route. It is unfortunate that in ― I believe Unit 2 ― a high level of radioactivity has been detected in puddles in particular. While continuing the efforts at the site to determine from which part and in what way the radioactive material is leaking, we have been taking precautions against possible damage, in particular health damage, based on a variety of expert analysis. Although we cannot say anything for certain, we are preparing for the worst possible scenario. We will continue our efforts to identify the cause and in the meantime stay alert to the data received from our monitoring of the surrounding area, so that there will be no delay in responding to the heightened possibility that people around the nuclear plant may be affected.

REPORTER: Among the possibilities you mention, have you received any reports about data indicating damage to the pressure vessel?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think you should ask this question to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) and other relevant institutions instead. I believe technical analyses on the pressure vessel and the pressure inside the reactor container have been conducted by NISA and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), respectively.

Radioactive materials thought to have originated from the reactor fuel have been found outside. I can at least say that they must have come from one of the reactors or pools, and if it was a reactor, we need to confirm what the conditions were that allowed that material to make its way out of the pressure vessel, which contains the fuel, and if these conditions persist.

REPORTER: I am Oda of the Sankei Shimbun. In relation to the nuclear reactor, when the earthquake occurred, nuclear emergency was declared not only for Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant but also for Fukushima Daini Nuclear Plant. What is the current situation concerning the latter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am also receiving detailed reports on Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant everyday on an hourly basis. Currently, as far as that plant is concerned, the cooling system is fully working as normal for both the reactors and the fuel pools. We are making sure that the cooling system is operated continuously.

However, there is a problem with the backup system. Normally, nuclear power plants have several backup systems for cooling and other necessary operations, so that when a problem arises in one system, power can be immediately switched to another. There is a problem in this aspect, and so urgent repair work is underway to restore secondary and tertiary backup systems. However, there are currently no problems concerning fuel rods or other matters.

REPORTER: On a separate topic, I would like to ask about the shipment restrictions on certain vegetables. A few days ago, a group of governors from the prefectures of North Kanto and Tohoku requested that the area to which shipment restrictions are applied be further limited. Is the Government considering the application of restrictions to certain locations as opposed to entire prefectures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I do think that the most desirable option is to limit the area on which restrictions are imposed, but on the other hand, we must also secure absolute safety, and this raises the question of to what extent we can carefully monitor the situation. We are making efforts to forward discussion on whether restrictions can be imposed on narrower and more specific areas while ensuring safety, which must be considered in light of our ability to conduct surveys and collect data.

REPORTER: There is a report that on March 21 a Russian fighter entered Japanese Air Defence Identification Zone to collect radioactive substances in air. There are reports that the craft was monitoring radiation levels. I would like to know the Government's understanding of the facts of this matter.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: For details on this incident I would like you to direct your question to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense.

REPORTER: I am from TV Asahi. Regarding the issue brought up a moment ago of using a special cloth to prevent the dispersal of radiation or collecting contaminated water in tankers, is it true that you are considering these options, and what are the risks involved in conducting operations like this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I realize those two points have been reported. Actually, we are discussing every possible option with experts. Included in our discussions are the options which you mentioned. We are now having experts discuss every possible option to bring this issue to a conclusion and prevent it from having a greater effect on the surrounding region. I believe that a political decision will eventually be made on everything discussed, including on the point of what is realistically feasible and effective. We are currently undertaking practical discussion.

REPORTER: Concerning the work at the plant, some are now reporting that the workers there have split into three groups. Is it true that they have split into three teams to handle shielding, remote controls and fuel extraction, and if it is true, could you tell us the details of these operations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have not yet confirmed that they have actually split into groups, but I have received reports that every possible method at every possible stage is being discussed among groups of experts, which, depending on the circumstances, include external specialists. I think it is only natural that all possibilities and countermeasures are being discussed by those with expertise.

REPORTER: I am Shirojima of Tokyo Shimbun. Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua stated at a press conference yesterday that he hoped the acceptance of relief supplies by the Government of Japan could proceed in a smoother way. How do you take this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Many countries, including China, have offered us support and cooperation following the earthquake and nuclear incident. We are extremely grateful for this.

This does not just apply to China, but in the light of the needs and situations of affected areas, we are trying to accept the support offered from each country in the most effective way. We are distributing support in consultation with every party involved at the working level. There are some instances in which the support given does not match the needs of the affected areas ― and again, this does not just apply to China. In these cases, we have been communicating with our counterparts at a working level and inquiring about the possibility of different support. Beyond just the working level, I hope to continue to have courteous and thorough conversations with each country as needed on the situation of the affected areas.

REPORTER: I am Oda of the Sankei Shimbun. According to some reports this morning, discussion has begun on the creation of a reconstruction headquarters featuring the participation of all the members of the Cabinet. Will the Government create such headquarters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe we must create a well-thought-out policy which can give hope to those living in affected areas about their future.

In that sense, I hope we can receive useful proposals and ideas not just from the Cabinet, but from a variety of people. While collecting many different kinds of ideas and opinions, we have started to work out what kind of proposal we should make as a Government. We are not currently at a stage where we can definitely set a policy. However, I would like to gather a variety of proposals and opinions.

REPORTER: Traces of plutonium have been discovered within the grounds of the power plant, and supposedly the material has not spread any farther, but I would like to know if the Government has instructed TEPCO to confirm this on a wider area, for instance, within the 30km zone around the plant?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe that the discovery was made yesterday, or it might have been at night two days ago. I received a report that traces of plutonium were found on the grounds of the plant, and that there was a high likelihood that they had leaked from one of the reactors. Based on this report, I issued the instruction to monitor the plant grounds thoroughly and regularly.

Is there a need to investigate a wider area at the same time? We are currently asking experts for their opinion on this. It has been reported to me that plutonium is a quite heavy substance, and that there is thus a low risk that it will travel very far if we thoroughly monitor the area around the plant. However, I understand that this is a matter of great concern to the public, and so I have asked for the opinions of experts just to be safe.

REPORTER: I am from the Asahi Shimbun. A moment ago you said that at some point a political decision will be made on the cleaning up of irradiated water around the plant. With many in the public complaining that there is no end in sight to the problem at the reactors, I think it should be obvious that a timeframe for that political decision needs to be made as soon as possible. Please tell us by when you expect that decision to be made.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The Government is fully aware that in addition to those who have evacuated from the area and farmers who are coming up against shipping restrictions, this incident at the power plant has caused a lot of inconvenience and trouble to a huge number of people. We are extremely sorry about this.

We are of course exerting every effort to bring this problem under control as soon as possible. I hope to tell you my predication for when we will be able to do so at an early date.

Looking at the situation objectively, we are currently discussing various measures in response to various events, and I frankly think that we are not at the stage for making a prediction about this in a responsible manner yet to everyone involved in the work at the plant. We are currently having experts discuss each possible solution before us simultaneously so that we can bring this problem to a conclusion at the earliest date possible and so that I can report on when this will happen as soon as possible.

CABINET PUBLIC RELATIONS SECRETARY: Any more questions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Thank you for you attention.