Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have one item to report to you today. Unfortunately, instructions have been given to Fukushima City to restrict shipments of shiitake mushrooms, limited to those which have been grown outside. For further details, please direct your questions to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

Q&As

REPORTER: In this morning's press conference, in response to the question on the return of the residents who have evacuated from the vicinity of the nuclear power station, you stated, "there are several areas where, at some point, it will be possible for residents to return and engage in reconstruction efforts." Where are these "several areas?"

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: If I give the names of specific locations, it will give rise to questions as to whether the locations I do not mention are in a different situation. In specific terms, what can be said is that at a certain stage, based on analysis of soil samples, where conditions permit, the Government would like to allow the local residents to return to their homes as early as possible. Considering the results of the various samples taken to date, there is no mistaking that there will be some regions where this will be possible. However, if I give the names of specific locations at this point, it will give rise to questions about what will become of other locations. As decisions for all locations must be made on the basis of surveys and data, at the current point, my response is the same as I stated before - neutral.

REPORTER: At the very least, if cold shutdown of the stations goes ahead as planned in the schedule, will it not be possible to lift the designation of emergency evacuation preparation areas?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I feel that when the stage arrives when it is possible to lift the designation of emergency evacuation preparation areas, we would like to do so as soon as possible, based on a full understanding of the information available and from the perspective of fully ensuring safety.

REPORTER: In your press conference this morning, you stated that there would be areas that could recover. Does the Government have any scenarios in which all areas are able to engage in recovery?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Particularly in the immediate vicinity of the nuclear power station soil samples and other data collection have not been implemented to any significant degree. In these areas it has not been possible to engage in sampling of background radiation. In these areas, detailed monitoring will be implemented at the point when safety can be ensured and of course the Government would like the residents from those areas too to be able to return as soon as possible and engage in reconstruction efforts. However, it is first necessary to gain a full picture of all the information before we can make a decision on whether safety can be assured and allow residents to return and start reconstruction.

REPORTER: With regard to the point about the voluntary restraint of senior officials at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) seeking reemployment at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) that was mentioned in this morning's press conference, I believe that this instruction to engage in self-restraint is a result of the current accident. However, is this measure consistent with reemployment measures for senior officials at other ministries? In this morning's press conference, you stated that a fundamental review would be required. What are your thoughts on redesigning the "amakudari" custom by which former high-ranking Government employees take lucrative jobs in the private sector? What do you think about regulations for the reemployment of bureaucrats from central government offices?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: With regard to the reemployment of senior government officials it had been the case that officials were prohibited for a certain time from seeking reemployment in a private sector company related to the field of work they had been involved in, while working in the Government. This was the status prior to the change in administration. As part of the reform of the civil servant system, changes were made in the process of amendments to the regulations on reemployment so that the new civil servant system became not preemptive, but instead prohibited former bureaucrats from engaging in mediation or seeking to influence their former government ministry or agency. The practice of reemployment of former officials at TEPCO has been ongoing for a number of years and the fact that a ministry bureaucrat had been reemployed at TEPCO in January this year was only reported after the appointment had been made. Following the accidents at the nuclear power station I believe that a fundamental examination of the reemployment system is required, including considering whether the revision to the relevant laws, which was implemented prior to the change in the administration, was actually more appropriate or not. However, such a review will take certain time. I believe that particularly at the current point it is important not to leave any lingering doubts, including safety perspectives relating to nuclear power. Therefore, in consultation with METI Minister Kaieda, it was decided to issue a request only to power utility companies, asking for self-restraint with regard to the reemployment of officials, which was the maximum possible response under the current law.

REPORTER: On a related note, as you say it was the previous government that implemented a revision to the National Public Service Act. However, in a recent Cabinet decision a concept for a basic policy was issued with a view to strengthening monitoring regulations, based on the premise that mediation by former bureaucrats is prohibited. In comparison, this current request for self-restraint is not directed at preventing mediation or collusion, but is rather focused on the fact that the system of reemployment itself is not desirable as it gives rise to suspicions and doubts. This request seems, therefore, to be at odds with the regulations on the reemployment system itself. How do you rationalize this request?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Even before the current request for self-restraint, it had been recognized that efforts needed to be made that would avoid creating doubts among the public about reemployment. As a means of avoiding such doubts, there had been discussions on the creation of a system that would be highly objective and engage in thorough monitoring, through post-reemployment regulations designed to prevent mediation or the use of influence at former government agencies. However, in January this year there was a case of reemployment under these post-reemployment regulations and directly thereafter the accident occurred, and the relationship between reemployment and the accident has caused doubts to arise. It is, therefore, the case that fundamental measure is necessary to ensure that doubts do not arise among the public, including consideration of whether the post-reemployment monitoring system based on the current law is sufficient or not.

REPORTER: In that case, will it not be necessary to review the overall framework for reform approved by the Cabinet the other day and maybe also change the schedule for reform?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: With regard to a change to legislation, we are unfortunately not in a position in which the Government holds a majority in the House of Councillors and, therefore, time will be required to discuss any revision on the basis of opinions received from all parties and parliamentary groups. This is an issue which has been discussed in various formats over the years and is one that will not be easy to resolve. Given this situation, I think that the way to proceed will have to include the imposition of both practical measures, such as the current request for self-restraint, and also measures that give due consideration to how strictly the current law can be applied. The Government will, therefore, proceed for the time being based on the current law, while examining how stricter monitoring can be achieved.

REPORTER: In the case of self-restraint concerning reemployment, I think that this measure will apply to persons other than the former director-general of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE). In fact, it could be applied to a number of other industries where there could be a cause and effect relationship between governmental monitoring and serious accidents, for example in the airline, pharmaceutical and railroad industries. Is it the Government's intention to continue to call for self-restraint, or only request self-restraint following the occurrence of an accident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Instructions have already been given to survey the status of reemployment at companies other than TEPCO and METI is engaged in this work. With regard to the status of reemployment in other industries, I think that the fact that a request for self-restraint has been made to power utility companies will prompt other companies and industries that provide services to the public to make their own judgments.

REPORTER: At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station readings of 49mSv have been measured in the Unit 1 reactor building and 57mSv in the Unit 3 reactor building. What is the current status at the Unit 1 and Unit 3 reactors? These radiation readings would suggest that it is not possible for people to enter the buildings and if this is the case, is it likely to have an impact on the schedule for containment that was issued by TEPCO yesterday? Or did TEPCO factor in such considerations to its schedule?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Regrettably, it was anticipated that due to the accident at the nuclear power station some radioactive materials would have leaked from each of the reactors, and I also envisaged the possibility that once monitoring inside the buildings could be accomplished, readings such as those that have been reported would be the result. In actual fact, as it has been possible to enter the buildings using these robots, I believe that the resulting readings and data will make it possible to engage in specific considerations and calculations pertaining to the safety of workers and how long they would be able to remain inside the reactor buildings to engage in operations. As even I had envisaged the possibility that a certain degree of radiation would be measured inside the buildings, my understanding is that the experts at TEPCO and other related persons will have incorporated the assumption of radiation inside the buildings into their schedule for containment at the power station.

REPORTER: I would just like to confirm something - in your morning press conference, you said that through the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) and related organizations you would thoroughly check to make sure that work is progressing as outlined in the roadmap for the nuclear power station released by TEPCO. Does this mean that the Government will be participating in work at the site of the nuclear incident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that depends on what you mean by participating - the Government will not directly be working in the area. However, as we have been doing up until now, we will be accepting instruments, information and other contributions from the United States or other countries. We will also virtually act as an intermediary between these countries and TEPCO, so that for example, in the case of a foreign company, the Government will buy or borrow equipment from the company and give it to TEPCO. I don't know if participation is really the right word for this, but this is what we have been doing. In terms of national efforts to bring this issue to a close, the Government will do what it can do or what it should do directly and at the same time, work with each concerned party, checking to make sure that TEPCO, plant makers and all related organizations are proceeding forward in a safe manner with the roadmap that has been laid out this time. I think this will be our primary role.

REPORTER: If that is the case, in order to gain the understanding of the people, with TEPCO following the work schedule you mentioned, will the Government also announce a kind of roadmap for its work toward a conclusion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think we need to make everything clear for the public, both the system for carrying out work and the issue of who is primarily responsible for each matter. TEPCO and other companies hold the primary responsibility for returning the nuclear power station to a stable state. The Government will strictly manage and check that the best possible work is being carried out in order to ensure real safety. However, given the magnitude of this incident, we won't stop there - we will provide as much support as we possibly can. With the Government being in the kind of position that it is in, TEPCO took the lead in creating the work schedule, particularly for work toward a conclusion to the problem at the station. In the course of making the roadmap, the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) and NISA thoroughly checked it from the perspectives of feasibility and safety. When it comes to the implementation of the roadmap, as I just stated, we will participate to the greatest extent possible in work which we can be directly involved in.

REPORTER: Regarding TEPCO and METI, in your press conference in February, you indicated that there was no problem with the rehiring of former Director-General of the ANRE Toru Ishida. What is your opinion now? Also, do you believe there were not any problems with your understanding back in February?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In February, I reported that Mr. Ishida was rehired in accordance with current laws, without breaching the law or circumventing the law. I still believe this is the case. However, the purpose of the rules against amakudari is not to follow the rules themselves. The ultimate purpose is to not raise suspicion among the public over the practice of amakudari. The latest accident has raised such public suspicion; in fact it is much greater now than before the accident. Furthermore, the situation is such that the public now has a strong suspicion towards nuclear energy - an issue of significant interest to the people and an issue which has a very large impact on their livelihood. In this light, I believe even if there is no problem from a legal standpoint, measures that can be taken should be taken within the limits of what is allowed by law.

REPORTER: Back in February did you not feel any skepticism?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have my own personal views and thoughts on the legal measures to constrain amakudari. My personal views are what I have been saying since before the change of government, before I became a member of the Cabinet, and my opinions have not changed simply because I have become a Cabinet member. However, at the same time, as long as I am a member of the Cabinet, I must uphold the current laws. Or alternatively, I can propose revisions to the laws. In exercising this function, I am acting as a member of the Government. I believe I am in a position in which I must dedicate myself to my role as a member of the Cabinet in drawing up policies based on legal revisions which are realistically feasible. In this context, I have responded that the rehiring of Mr. Ishida did not violate current laws. Bearing in mind that ultimately this sort of accident occurred and suspicion has risen considerably, I believe I must take to heart your point that I should have foreseen such an event and explained that from an early stage.

REPORTER: Just to confirm, during today's intensive discussion in the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors, the Prime Minister said that all preconceived notions, including Japan's administration of nuclear energy to date, will be reviewed from scratch. Basically, is the review being conducted with the assumption that the Government is going forward with nuclear energy? Or is the review being conducted on this assumption to re-examine the issues related to the accident? Or is the Government going to review from scratch once again the existence of nuclear power stations themselves? May I ask which one of these it is?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have not heard from the Prime Minister directly in detail as to what he meant by his response at the Diet. However, normally when someone says a review will be conducted from scratch, I believe they mean that everything will be examined.

REPORTER: I believe this evening, the chairmen of the policy research committees of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), New Komeito, and the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will be meeting with each other to discuss the first supplementary budget. Could you please explain what you expect from the meetings? Also, if no agreement is reached during the talks with the LDP and New Komeito, could you tell us when you intend to submit the draft first supplementary budget to the Diet without there being agreement on it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The supplementary budget concerns assistance for those affected by the disaster, and therefore, I strongly hope that the parties will be able to work it out during their talks with each other. As for the establishment of the draft budget, since this has to do with the Government's response to all those affected in the disaster-stricken areas, as I have always been saying, we hope to submit the draft budget to the Diet for discussion by the end of this month at the latest.

REPORTER: In addition to the draft first supplementary budget, do you intend to submit a draft basic law on reconstruction or any other related bills?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The Cabinet would like to submit a draft basic law on reconstruction, in particular a draft law concerning the organizational framework, to the Diet during the month of April. However, since each party also has its own views, the Government is proceeding with its response and preparations while keeping an eye on whether or not the talks between the parties make any progress.

REPORTER: Returning to the subject of amakudari, I can understand fundamentally why it is not good to rouse suspicion over such an issue. However, in the case of Mr. Ishida, for instance, have there been any specific disadvantages generated as a result of him, a former METI employee, acquiring a position at TEPCO? In other words, what is so bad about the practice of amakudari?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: To approach the issue from a different angle, if there were any obvious disadvantages it would not be permitted under current law. The case of Mr. Ishida is not subject to current laws, as I noted in February. Since then, no cases subject to the laws have been pointed out. Many former government officials possess various kinds of expertise that they acquired when working for the Government, and many were highly capable people from the start. So, some considers it is a good thing that these individuals utilize their strengths in reentering the labor force. In some respects I can understand that. At the same time, however, when a government official is reemployed at a place connected to their former position of authority, such an individual will be viewed suspiciously in various respects even if they do nothing wrong, because many of their subordinates are still active workers. When these doubts can cause citizens to question the neutrality or fairness of public affairs - when citizens bear such suspicions - I believe that there is a problem in the proper execution of administrative affairs. Therefore, from that perspective, and particularly in the case of TEPCO, it is undeniable that there have been numerous instances where people with similar past positions have started out as an advisor and ultimately become vice presidents. Furthermore, there is suspicion over a potential problem between power companies and their supervisory bodies in light of the nuclear power station incident. In consideration of these facts, I believe it to be necessary to make the utmost effort to ensure that that the situation should be improved so that such suspicions are put to rest.

REPORTER: You have answered this question several times since the earthquake, but please allow me to confirm once again. Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station is located directly over the potential epicenter of the Tokai earthquake. The distance between this station and the Tokyo Metropolitan Area is much closer than that of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and Tokyo. Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima and others are demanding the closure of the station. To what degree, does the Government view Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station as a threat in the event that aftershocks or another major earthquake occur?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power Station was unforeseen in the sense that we were not prepared for it. Moreover, some people pointed out in the past that major tsunamis may completely cripple the power system at the station. Therefore, and this is not limited to the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station, NISA is working to reconfirm the safety of all nuclear power stations in consideration of the recent accident and the development of events that led up to it. Furthermore, NISA is already implementing measures, starting with what can be done immediately. I believe that this must be carried out for all nuclear power stations, not only certain ones.

REPORTER: On a related note, operations at Unit 3 of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station are currently suspended. At your press conference on April 12 with foreign media, you said that if operations were to restart in the future at nuclear power stations where operations are currently suspended, the Government would first have to confirm safety to a level higher than conventionally done. What types of concrete confirmation work are you considering?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There is no question that we are going to have to confirm safety in a more robust manner than before, and that views among experts are of course going to differ. Actually, that was the case in the past as well. Particularly in light of the current circumstances, it is going to be difficult to reopen facilities without some form of consensus achieved among experts to a certain degree. This takes precedece over what the Government thinks.