Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have a couple announcements to make.

First of all, as radioactive iodine was detected in a fish sample, and as no standard has been set concerning a safety limit for radioactive iodine in marine products, the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters today requested urgent advice from the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) on the possibility of making marine products subject to the same safety limit applied for vegetables, which in turn has been provisionally stipulated according to general standards for items not falling under the categories of water, milk or dairy products. The advice received from NSC was immediately conveyed to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) via the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters. MHLW has been instructed to apply the safety limit for radioactive iodine in marine products as a provisional measure. MHLW has replied that they will take due measures moving forward. I ask you to inquire at MHLW for more details on this.

My next announcement concerns publications for disaster-stricken areas. From tomorrow, April 6, we will have local newspapers publish Government information about livelihood assistance and other disaster-related matters. The information will be published twice a week in 17 local newspapers from Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures, which together will distribute a total of about 2 million issues each time. This will be combined with the wall newspapers being put up in evacuations shelters in hard-hit areas. Areas that are relatively less damaged will be informed of the information through their local newspapers. These paper-based initiatives are intended particularly for non-Internet users in the disaster-stricken areas. Moving forward, the Government will continue its efforts to thoroughly inform those in disaster-stricken areas through daily radio programs, wall newspapers and local newspaper postings twice a week. The second issue of the wall newspapers will be published tomorrow. For Fukushima Prefecture, a special edition wall newspaper will be published in addition to this, featuring safety tips related to the incident at the nuclear power plant. In addition to everything else I’ve mentioned, the Prime Minister’s Office website has now posted the addresses of about 110 informative websites on the earthquake disaster that are sponsored by government ministries and other institutions. The Prime Minister’s Office website has been accessed about 1.5 million times a day, or 37 million times in total since the earthquake. The number of followers of the Prime Minister’s Office twitter account has increased to 310,000 over this same time period. Making full use of these kinds of communication tools, the Government will redouble its efforts to keep the people in disaster-stricken areas informed about every detail they need to know about.

My third announcement is on the acceptance of donations by the Government. Following the unprecedented disaster, many people inside and outside Japan have said that they want to do something for disaster victims. A number of such messages have been sent to the Government as well. Although the Japanese Red Cross Society, news media agencies, and other organizations in the private sector are accepting donations from these people, there have also been requests for the Government to directly accept donations from companies and individuals. In light of these requests, as explained in the handouts, the Government established an office to accept donations today, April 5. This office will increase the number of channels through which it is possible to donate money to disaster victims. The Government’s role in this is limited to taking in funds to be distributed to disaster victims through local governments. Please contact the Accounts Division of the Cabinet Secretariat at the Cabinet Office for more details.

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question about the consumption restrictions on fish. As fish, unlike vegetables, move around, how will the Government establish these consumption restrictions given the fact that fish swim around?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: First of all, at the current stage, with regard to the sand lance fish caught off the coast of Ibaraki, in which high concentrations of radioactivity have been detected, the Government has requested fishery operators there to make a voluntary decision to stop shipment of the fish and to cease fishing for these fish. If the ongoing situation demands that restrictions be put in place, we have received an explanation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) about the ways of gaining information about where fish are being landed and where the actual fishing grounds are located. Naturally, as fish swim around in the sea, it will be necessary to engage in stringent monitoring to gain a full picture about the locations where risks exist and those locations that are safe.

REPORTER: It is possible to assume, however, that fish will move around in an area wider than specific fishing grounds or fishing ports. If this is the case…

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Of course that is a totally plausible scenario, which is why wide-area monitoring will have to be implemented. As a result, even if high readings are reported in the area where the fish are landed, it will be necessary to make a decision based on whether the readings are similarly high or not in the locations where the fish are caught.

REPORTER: Unlike vegetables, fish produce young, which are also a part of the wider food chain. Does the Government consider that there will be wider implications on the food chain as a whole?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: That is of course a possibility, and the Government will be asking experts for their views and analysis with regard to this issue.

REPORTER: Let me just confirm one point. The current restrictions that are in place on the landing of fish are voluntary. Does that mean that you will not be implementing restrictions at this time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: At the current time, as high radioactivity readings have been detected for only one type of fish, rather than immediately imposing restrictions the Government seeks to conduct further stringent monitoring and gain a picture of the situation as a whole. For the time being, as there is no likelihood of the sand lances, which have recorded high readings, making their way into distribution channels or into food supplies, our response initially is to implement further thorough monitoring.

REPORTER: Related to that, there has been a case where a fishing boat that was fishing off the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture was prevented from unloading its catch in port. What is the Government’s view of this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that the Government, or MAFF, must ensure that accurate information is provided. At the moment, monitoring is being implemented in a number of locations, including off the coast of Ibaraki, which at the current point is considered to be appropriate by experts at MAFF. What is more, the fish that showed high radioactivity readings were extremely small, and when their growth patterns and life cycle are considered, it is rational to assume that just because radioactive iodine has been recorded in these fish, it will not necessarily be recorded in other locations. Accordingly, we ask people to respond calmly to this situation to ensure that there is no damage caused by excessive and unsubstantiated rumors. In order to respond to the situation the Government will seek to ensure, through MAFF, that accurate and detailed information is provided to the relevant organizations.

REPORTER: With regard to the release of contaminated water into the sea, there have been reports that objections have been raised by the Republic of Korea and Russia. What response is the Government making to this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: First of all, Japan naturally bears the general obligations stipulated under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to prevent pollution of the oceans. However, the release of water at the nuclear power plant presents no imminent threat of pollution to neighboring countries. As this nuclear issue is an issue of great concern, under the stipulations of the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, Japan is providing information on a voluntary basis to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and countries concerned. Yesterday, April 4, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) provided notification to the IAEA of the facts and on the same day the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained the measure to release water into the sea as part of its scheduled briefing to the diplomatic corps. In addition, a report was sent by fax from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to all diplomatic missions. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tokyo issued a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the facts surrounding the current measure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a detailed explanation of the facts and in response to a question concerning how the current measure relates to international law, the ministry expressed its view that the current measure will not immediately create an issue in terms of international law. I am sure that the countries neighboring Japan naturally have a high degree of interest in the current situation and the Government will continue to make a thorough and attentive response, providing appropriate explanations through diplomatic channels.

REPORTER: In a related issue it appears that the Republic of Korea has expressed a desire to implement its own surveys of the seas. How will the Government be responding to this request?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: If there is such a request it will be dealt with by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or MAFF, or possibly just the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone, and based on their intentions we can engage in consultations on this matter.

REPORTER: With regard to the fish issue, in the case that the indication of origin of fish does not identify the waters in which the fish were caught, the indication of origin will be the name of the port and prefecture in which they were landed. What are the Government’s plans to deal with the indication of origin of fish products, bearing in mind the potential future situation in which fish may be caught off the coast of Ibaraki, for example, but landed in Shizuoka and therefore labeled as fish from Shizuoka?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: First of all, as was the recent case with vegetables, unsubstantiated rumors can result in products that are actually safe not being able to be sold, or may cause prices to crash, which not only has an impact on producers and fishery operators, but could result in agricultural and fishery resources not being able to be used effectively to provide safe sources of food, causing wide-ranging social consequences. The Government is well aware that it must make further efforts to avoid such a situation to the greatest extent possible. It is for this reason that the distribution of produce that could possibly contain certain amounts of radioactive materials is being restricted through detailed designation of products, and I think that the fishery operators and marine produce businesses would share this common goal. Accordingly, from this perspective MAFF will consult thoroughly with fishery operators and if any catches exceed the provisional limits a response will be made to ensure that such fish are definitely prevented from entering the supply chain. Consideration will also be given to the point you have just made about indication of origin and consultations will continue.

REPORTER: You just said that you will be carrying monitoring in a wide area. To what extent will this wide area cover?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: This is being coordinated specifically by MAFF and NISA and other organizations, and I have received a report that the widest area possible will be covered, encompassing multiple locations. I suggest that you ask for confirmation with the organizations concerned.

REPORTER: Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Tadahiro Matsushita said in a liaison meeting with administrative vice ministers that an evacuation plan for the 18,000 residents of Minami-Soma city, who are currently sheltering indoors in the 20 to 30km zone from the nuclear power plant, will be issued within the next couple of days. Should we understand from this that the scope of the evacuation is being expanded?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: No, the minister’s comments relate to a different issue. The location in question is already in the zone where residents are requested to shelter indoors and if there is a dramatic deterioration in the situation at the nuclear power plant it may be necessary to ask these residents to evacuate. I hear that the minister’s comments were in regard to this contingency, preparing in advance for efficient operations should the need arise. In such an eventuality METI would consult thoroughly with the various local governments and provide support where support is needed. In this sense the preparations for contingencies is the right thing to do. Separate from this matter, scientific analysis of the evacuation area is now in an advanced stage and the Government will have to make a decision based on the results of that analysis.

REPORTER: Regarding NISA, local governors and mayors have been making a strong request that NISA will establish separate information organizations. Could you tell us about any developments at this stage regarding the organization and framework for NISA?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: At the current point the response to the accident at the nuclear power plant is ongoing and all organizations concerned, including NISA, are making every effort to contain the situation, so frankly speaking I do not think that we can’t afford to discuss organizational structures at this juncture. Once a stage is reached where the situation is contained, then consideration will be given to this issue, based on various opinions and a review of matters relating to the accident.

REPORTER: The release of contaminated water is expected to continue. Does the Government intend to issue instructions to either Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) or related government ministries to compile a map of the flows of radioactive materials in the seas around the nuclear plant and the anticipated scope of the impact on marine areas?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The prerequisite for issuing such instructions is first to find out whether we have such information on actual currents and the capacity to map them. In terms of climatic and weather conditions, it can be assumed that there is a certain capacity to do this. However, with regard to data on sea currents and the movements of sea water, I would like to check whether the government or the various domestic organizations may be able to understand the situation and acquire those data.

REPORTER: MAFF Minister Michihiko Kano has stated that MAFF did not receive advance notification about the release of contaminated water from the power plant. If this is true, could you tell us why MAFF did not receive a report concerning this measure?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: With regard to the facts, I do not know at what stage the details of the measure to release water were reported, or reported to the minister in particular. Naturally, as a minister concerned, it is to be expected that a report should have been provided in advance and if that was not the case on this occasion, measures will have to be taken to ensure that it does not happen again.

REPORTER: At the current point have you not heard of this matter from Minister Kano himself?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have not spoken personally about this issue, but it may have been pointed out at the working level. In any event we will have to make the facts of the matter clear and redouble our efforts to ensure that all ministries concerned are kept fully informed.

REPORTER: This question is pertaining to relief money. I apologize for asking again, but is there a timeline or schedule in place for distributing the overall donations? I am not referring to the Government donations announced today, but the overall donations.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We are working to get those distributed as soon as possible while holding consultations with related institutions such as the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Central Community Chest. At the same time, unless the Government plays a certain role before moving on to the prefectural level, it will be impossible to move forward. That is because donations are to be distributed across multiple different prefectures. We are currently working on this issue at a rather fast pace, and I think that we will have reached the point where work can be taken up on the prefectural level in the not so distant future.

REPORTER: This question pertains to electricity supply shortages. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda indicated his opinion that legal measures are needed to restrict the use of electricity by heavy utility consumers. Do you believe that these measures are necessary? Also, how much consideration has the Government paid to this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: First and foremost I believe that all citizens ― and that includes heavy utility consumers ― should cooperate in reducing electrical consumption, and particularly controlling peak consumption, in a way that does not negatively impact their business. Thereafter, once all heavy utility consumers have done their best to cooperate, I am sure that there will be talk about others also cooperating. Of course, we must include those others in our considerations and deliberations as well. However, as a basic stance, I believe that this must be based on the premise that we will consult with everyone ― and that includes individuals as well ― on a way to cooperate in consideration of the actual supply structure that has the least impact on businesses and people’s lives.

REPORTER: Do you believe that we can get through the summer months, when demand is high, without implementing such measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is important to significantly moderate the level of demand in various different ways or to disperse that demand through different regions. Unless that is done I am fairly certain that at present we will not have enough electricity to cover the demand through summer. However, amidst those efforts the question of how to control demand arises. Rather than forcing such restrictions from the beginning, I think it will be better to first ask for businesses and citizens’ cooperation to control their usage in a way that has the least impact, and then to consider the situation based on that cooperation I think this is a right order to tackle the issue. In regards to rolling power outages, there was a power shortage that occurred directly after the earthquake, and I think that using rolling power outages as a forced method to solve the problem caused everyone a great deal of inconvenience. That is why, particularly in response to the growing demand for electricity during the summer months, I would like to first ask each company to handle the situation in a way that elicits the least impact on their business plans.

REPORTER: There have been reports that the United States’ nuclear aircraft carrier, the Ronald Regan, is scheduled to pull out of Japan. Some observe this action as an attempt to evade radiation contamination. What explanation have you received from the United States Government on this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have not heard that the departure is due to any reason like the one you just mentioned. We have been receiving a significant amount of cooperation from the United States for disaster assistance and rescue activities. This assistance was provided in the name of the U.S. military, and the aircraft carrier that you mentioned engaged in a great deal of activities as a base for such operations. I believe that the departure may mark an operational breaking point in terms of cooperation, or that it could be one of the various operations being conducted by the U.S. military.

REPORTER: Changing the subject, my next question is in regards to the provisional payment of compensation by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). At a press conference Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda commented that a team would be formed within the Prime Minister’s Office within the week. What chain of command or organization is envisioned for this team?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We have a team to handle living assistance-related matters for people who are being impacted in various ways as a result of the nuclear power plant accident. The team is situated under the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and we are currently putting it in operation. There are also future problems such as that of compensation and the major issue of economic loss in the event that this situation continues for a long time. We must consider a team structure that can best address these issues. Concerning the issue of compensation, although this is the primary responsibility of TEPCO, consideration should be made as to how the Government should back the company up, and some believe that the Government should overrule TEPCO’s authority and directly handle the situation. There are various different perspectives to the issue. We are currently advancing efforts on crystallizing a concrete structure for this team.

REPORTER: On a different topic, a little while ago Prime Minister Kan met with New Komeito Chief Representative Yamaguchi. The New Komeito has indicated its position to cooperate on the supplementary budget; however, Chief Representative Yamaguchi commented that he did not receive any proposal on a specific method for cooperation from the Prime Minister. How does the Government plan to cooperate with the New Komeito in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is the Government that will be receiving the cooperation of the New Komeito. If he said that he would cooperate on the supplementary budget I must extend my deepest gratitude. Specifically, we receive various requests from interparty teams and officials on how to consolidate and reflect the opinions of the New Komeito on the supplementary budget in Government decisions. Many of the Komeito’s views and information are very meaningful, and I believe that these are being put to use. In the future I intend to continue asking the New Komeito and other parties for their opinions and information as much as possible, implementing a response based on what I receive. So, I think that we will be responding to that issue primarily through a framework of interparty deliberations; however, I still intend to pay solid consideration to the issue along with party members in deriving a concrete procedure and method for this cooperation.

REPORTER: On a related note, what is your stance on the so-called “grand coalition” being talked about by some, which would mean the New Komeito and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) joining the administration?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Is that question directed at me? Just as I have said over the past several days, in the face of this horrific disaster we have already received the cooperation of all parties also with regard to the Diet proceedings. Recently, we have been receiving various meaningful opinions and information as well. Moreover, parties have all reiterated their intention to cooperate on disaster measures regardless of party membership, which I greatly appreciate. Amidst these circumstances, I believe that it is the role of the Government to take this situation, adequately utilizing the various information and views being offered, to extend all possible means to ensure thorough disaster response.

REPORTER: Regarding what Senior Vice-Minister for Economy Trade and Industry Matsushita said at the ministerial liaison meeting after the Q&A session earlier, is it only the present city of Minamisoma that has a plan for cases involving refugees over a region of 20 km to 30 km? The 18,000 people living there represent a large population; therefore, have places been prepared to receive them in the event that they must take refuge? Please also tell us the current situation regarding the other municipalities within the 20 km to 30 km range.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There are individual circumstances unique to each municipality. Unfortunately it took a while, but the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has developed methods which enable the exchange of information and views in a format that is easy to grasp within the Ministry with each local government, as directly as possible. They are, therefore, able to respond based on the circumstances and opinions of each local region. Without having a clear understanding of the situation at each municipality, I do not feel that I or anyone else in the central Government are in a position to address the question of what kind of response each local government is making.

REPORTER: It seems that a statement was made in regard to Minamisoma, to the effect that those preparations were well underway.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The person who spoke directly to individuals such as the Mayor of Minamisoma about this was Senior Vice-Minister Matsushita. I expect the statement was made based on those discussions.

REPORTER: Listening to your remarks over the past few days it seems like you are suggesting that things move forward based on the current system. Do you feel a coalition, which is to say some kind of political framework, is unnecessary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have not stated either way whether it is necessary or not. The situation is exactly as I have said.

REPORTER: About doorstepping interviews by the Prime Minister, among the reasons you gave for not doing this was the fact that he is presently making many more decisions than he would normally. Nevertheless, as recently as yesterday, the Prime Minister returned to his official residence at 8 pm, and therefore, one could argue that saying he is too busy is not a good excuse. It seems that once again, the Government is crying out about national crisis while its leader doesn’t explain the situation to the people. What is the reason for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have recently pointed out to those at the Prime Minister’s Office about the necessity of having the Prime Minister make direct statements to the nation, whenever possible, regarding matters which should be announced. Depending on whether he is at his office or residence affects the kind of work that can be done, with some work only possible at the former location. I believe that discussions with other government officials, for example, should logically be conducted at the Prime Minister’s Office. I conduct such discussions there. But, I think that returning to the Official Residence doesn’t necessary mean that he’s not working, as you are aware of.

REPORTER: Do you think the current situation is healthy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that is something that can only be judged by looking at the Prime Minister’s schedule at his office.

REPORTER: I would like to quickly check: In this morning’s press conference, you seemed to give no explanation at the beginning for the extension of the sanctions resolution against North Korea. Was there some reason for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Regarding the contents of Cabinet meetings and gatherings between ministers, reporting the number of items which were discussed at Cabinet meetings and gathering as well as the main points of any ministerial statements made therein. I am just following this principle.