Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I would like to make an announcement about the outline of the Cabinet meeting that was held today. The meeting approved six general and other measures, and also approved the promulgation of a treaty, draft laws, a cabinet order, and personnel decisions. A minister’s statement was made by myself concerning Japan’s actions against North Korea.

I would then like to give you a report of the meeting of the Headquarters to Promote Civil Service Reform held before the Cabinet meeting. During the meeting, we approved the overall vision of the reform based on the Basic Act on Reform of National Public Officers’ Systems and other frameworks. During the current regular Diet session, we are planning to submit bills for an independent system for labor-management relations, unified management of senior officials, and more appropriate retirement management. Prior to submitting the bills, the overall vision of the reform was formulated to provide the outlines of these bills. During the meeting, the Prime Minister gave instructions to proceed with the preparations to submit related bills in line with the overall vision approved today, from the perspective of building a system that provides public services that meet people’s needs and allows the civil servants to work with a sense of fulfillment. Further, the overall vision approved today stipulates, concerning the restriction on reemployment of civil servants, that the surveillance function of the current Reemployment Surveillance Commission will be enhanced prior to the establishment of a new organization, Reemployment Surveillance and Rectification Commission. As such, in light of the fact that the path of enhancing the surveillance for reemployment restriction has been made clear, we will not wait for the revision of the law but first submit a draft proposal on the appointment of the Commission members to the Diet as soon as possible so as to not allow any breach of the regulations to go unnoticed. Our original plan was to hold this meeting on an earlier date and start drafting the aforementioned bills around then, but this was temporarily halted by the earthquake disaster. The content of the reform approved today was mostly fixed in terms of orientation before the earthquake. Still, it requires the official approval of the Headquarters, without which we cannot move onto the next stage of drafting the bills. So the Headquarters met today to confirm the overall vision of the reform, and gave the green light to move forward with the process at the working level.

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question about the release of contaminated water into the sea at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Yesterday you stressed that this was an “unavoidable” measure. The release of contaminated water actually began from 7:00pm yesterday evening. What is your view on this release of contaminated water? What measures will be taken from now to prevent the further dispersal of contaminated water, including, for example, strengthened surveillance at monitoring stations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Although this is an unavoidable measure designed to prevent the release of water contaminated with high concentrations of radiation, the fact that it is necessary to deliberately release water that contains radioactive materials is highly regrettable and I am very sorry that it had to occur. However, above all what we must endeavor to do is advance measures to dispose of the water contaminated with high concentrations of radiation that has collected in the turbine building of the Unit 2 reactor and ensure that it can be prevented from escaping. In addition, a decision had been previously made to step up inspections on the impact on the surrounding seas and check safety, including with regard to this recent measure to release low-level contaminated water. These monitoring and safety confirmation activities are being implemented already and at the same time consideration is being given to and preparations being made for a number of measures to prevent the further dispersal of radioactive materials in the sea, at various points around the nuclear power plant. The government is continuing to urge that measures be taken to prevent dispersal of radioactive materials into the sea to the greatest degree possible.

REPORTER: With regard to the measures that you speak of, are you referring to the option that has been raised of using a kind of cloth to prevent radiation spreading? Can you tell us of the specific measures that are being considered to prevent the dispersal of radioactive materials?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As a means of preventing any further dispersal into the sea, one of the options that is thought to have the quickest effect is the use of a fence-type structure placed in the sea. This is one of the options that are currently under simultaneous consideration.

REPORTER: I believe that the measure that has been taken to prevent the release of highly radioactive materials may be in contravention of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Have you provided an explanation to neighboring countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe that notification has been issued, pursuant to the stipulations of the Convention. However, in this case the neighboring countries are supposed to be located in the side of the Pacific Ocean, so rather than contacting individual countries, a report has been made to the appropriate international organization.

REPORTER: I have a related question. High levels of radioactive iodine were detected in sand lance fish off the coast of Ibaraki. What is your view of the impact on marine produce if the release of contaminated water, albeit at a low level of contamination, continues?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is truly regrettable that the monitoring yesterday resulted in these readings and I feel truly sorry for all persons who will be affected by this, including those in the fishing industry. However, those were the results of the monitoring exercises that have been implemented. The fishing industry in Fukushima Prefecture has not yet restarted operations since the disaster and there are currently no plans to do so in the immediate term. In the case of the waters off Ibaraki Prefecture, based on the results of the recent monitoring activities there are plans to further enhance monitoring with a view to resuming the fishing industry only in areas where it has been confirmed that it is safe to do so, or for certain types of fish that have been confirmed to be safe. I would like to ask the public to respond calmly to the situation to ensure that there is no further damage caused by unsubstantiated rumors. In addition, I believe that one of the factors that caused the results in the most recent monitoring was the fact that water containing extremely high concentrations of radioactive materials had been released. It is in order to ensure that this highly concentrated radioactive water does not escape further that it has been unavoidable to implement the current measure where low-level radioactive water is being released. Efforts will continue to engage in thorough monitoring to ascertain whether this measure will change the impact on the surrounding seas. Widespread and thorough monitoring in multiple locations is also being implemented to confirm safety and also with a view to preventing damage from unsubstantiated rumors. As I stated initially, every effort is being made to expedite fundamental measures aimed at stopping the outflow of contaminated water.

REPORTER: Does the government intend to impose restrictions on shipment or consumption for marine produce in the same way as have been implemented for agricultural produce?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There is currently already a provisional limit in place for cesium levels. As radioactive iodine has a short half-life no provisional limit has been set, but instructions have been issued to reconsider this issue as a matter of urgency. However, with regard to the question of whether restrictions will be actually put in place, although a response must be made without delay, further monitoring is being implemented and trends in the contamination of the surrounding seas will be closely surveyed.

REPORTER: I have another question about the release of radioactive water into the sea. You explained that the release of water containing relatively low concentrations of radiation was an unavoidable measure. However, if an idea is eventually proposed that the water containing high concentrations of radiation that has collected in the turbine building of the Unit 2 reactor would also have to be expelled in this way, is it your understanding that the government would accept such a proposal?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is a regrettable fact that this accident has happened and that as a result highly contaminated water has been produced. The decision to release the water containing low concentrations of radiation was approved as an overall measure designed to reduce the damage and impact to the greatest degree possible. Naturally, under normal circumstances it would not be acceptable to expel water containing even low concentrations of radiation. However, the approval was given for this exceptional measure based on the overall consideration that in doing so would help to prevent even larger damage and adverse impacts.

REPORTER: I have a question about land-based concerns. What is the current status of considerations about expanding or reviewing the evacuation area?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As I have said on a number of occasions over the last few days, various supplementary data are being thoroughly analyzed to examine the various impacts on the areas affected and consider the assumption that the situation will continue for the long term. Although this analysis is now in an advanced stage, the final results have yet to be completed and cannot therefore be used to make a definitive judgment on the situation. I think the final results will be ready in due course. Based on these results, the government will make the necessary preparations regarding the response that will be requested from the residents in the area affected and ensure that measures can be implemented properly without confusion. If necessary, it may be the case that the content of the current advisory may be changed. However, I am not able to say at the current point when this will happen.

REPORTER: In a previous press conference you stated that considerations are under way concerning the revision of laws that would make it possible to issue an evacuation advisory not only on the basis of the impact of radiation, but also due to disruption to daily life and threats to the sustainability of daily life. Is there a likelihood that an evacuation advisory could be issued based on those grounds?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Ultimately the greatest priority is safety considerations on the basis of scientific data. The natural assumption is that if evacuation is deemed necessary on safety grounds, then an evacuation advisory will accordingly be issued. In addition, as I have said before, there are also social elements and requirements to be considered for evacuations and the degree to which these considerations are reflected in the issuance of evacuation advisories will have to be decided on the basis of scientific analysis and data.

REPORTER: It has been suggested that due to the impact of the disaster, Diet deliberations on the supplementary budget will require a considerable extension to the regular session of the Diet. What are your views on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Nothing specific has yet been decided and I believe it is not yet the time to consult on a Diet extension. The government, ruling parties and opposition parties are all cooperating in consultations and coordination of the first supplementary budget, which includes allocations for immediate measures such as the removal of debris and wreckage, as well as the formulation of the necessary legislation to implement these immediate measures. With regard to the next step and the question of timing, we are not yet at a juncture where the scale and content of the supplementary budget can be clearly laid out. These specific matters will have to be discussed in a concrete manner when their content has also become clear.

REPORTER: I have a different question concerning reduction of greenhouse gases in the wake of the disaster. There have been a number of reports that Japan could be exempt from penalties for failing to reach its emissions reduction targets. Could you tell us if anything has been decided at the current point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There have been some reports to this effect, but the current situation is that we are working to get a firm understanding of the various impacts of the disaster and devoting our energies to achieving recovery. Beyond that no policies have been decided or considered as yet.

REPORTER: The Convention on Nuclear Safety Fifth Review Meeting has just opened in Vienna, and today a seminar will be held there in which the Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold a joint question and answer session. There are reports that this will be a closed-door session. Could you confirm this and give the reason why the seminar will be a closed-door session, if that is the case.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: If your question is about the IAEA meeting, I suggest that you ask for the details from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister’s Office has not directly received specific details about this meeting.

REPORTER: Members of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) are also scheduled to attend this IAEA meeting.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In which case, I suggest that you ask METI for the details.

REPORTER: In your opening remarks about Japan’s measures concerning North Korea, I believe you were referring to the one-year extension of the sanctions. Can you elaborate on your present thoughts regarding the posture of and situation in North Korea since the shelling incident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: To be precise, what I said at the Cabinet meeting was that since the one-year extension was approved by the Cabinet, bearing that in mind I asked the relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate closely and strictly follow through on their part in implementing the sanctions. It goes without saying that so far North Korea has shown absolutely no effort to make strides on the abduction issue. After the shelling incident as well, we unfortunately haven’t seen North Korea make any sincere effort in response to the incident. The resolution of the abduction issue and the resolution of other issues, including the nuclear and missile issues, require North Korea to first and foremost take appropriate steps. To move in that direction, Japan will further strengthen its current posture towards North Korea in close cooperation and coordination with relevant countries, including the sanctions which were extended today.

REPORTER: There are reports that TEPCO has decided to pay compensation to farmers and residents who incurred radiation-related damages. If you have been briefed from the TEPCO side at all, could you share with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Regarding TEPCO, the Government has also been instructing the company to make sincere efforts to make compensation payments to those who were affected by the power plant accident, and TEPCO for its part has demonstrated its intention of doing so to the Government. Leaving aside the question of the total compensation amount, the compensation will first provide immediate funds. Beginning with the evacuees, many people are in a very difficult situation. The Government for its part is exploring what it can do within its framework of disaster relief with a sense of urgency. TEPCO, too, needs to respond from a similar standpoint, and I understand TEPCO is exploring its response right now. However, a final decision has not been made at this time. In the not so distant future, I believe the Government will be able to report on what this will entail after the Government has given its approval and after it has been finalized.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Will the people who suffered from the nuclear incident be covered by the existing law, which I think is the Disaster Victim Support Act?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Regarding those people who suffered from the nuclear incident, I believe they fall under two overlapping frameworks. In the one framework, assistance or compensation in the broad sense will be provided to those who were affected by the nuclear accident. In the other framework, Government assistance will be provided to those who were affected by the earthquake disaster in the large sense and are actually struggling to live. Ultimately, it may become a challenge to figure out how to adjust the overlap between the two frameworks. However, at this point in time, our biggest priority is to firmly support the livelihoods of those people who were affected, beginning with the evacuees, for some time to come. Therefore, considerations are being made from two dimensions. On the one hand, as I noted earlier, with TEPCO being the main actor, the Government is requesting TEPCO to consider its response and TEPCO is exploring what it can do. On the other hand, the Government is exploring what can be done under existing frameworks. This will include those things which can be done at most through existing laws, and in some cases, those things which will require special legislation.