Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have two items to report to you. The first is about the lifting of restrictions on shipment. Today, in accordance with Article 20, Paragraph 3 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, it was decided to lift the shipment restrictions on raw milk produced in the city of Soma and the town of Shinchi in Fukushima Prefecture, and also on spinach produced in the city of Nasushiobara and the town of Shioya in Tochigi Prefecture. 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).

The second item concerns a report that was received from Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) today, concerning the results of examinations of extra power supply capacity heading towards summer this year. On April 15, TEPCO was directed to engage in examinations concerning ways of further increasing power supply capacity and a report on this subject was received today. I have requested that TEPCO makes maximum efforts to ensure that the power supply capacity detailed in the report can definitely be achieved. In addition, as many of TEPCO's power stations are located in the disaster-affected areas and also within the region supplied by Tohoku Electric Power Co., I have requested that TEPCO also make maximum efforts to engage in power interchange with Tohoku Electric Power Co. I believe that with regard to power supply and demand during the summer season in the areas served by TEPCO and Tohoku Electric Power Co., it will be necessary to engage in careful and detailed examinations and in the near future, the Government will hold a meeting of the Headquarters for Emergency Response for Power Supply and Demand in order to coordinate a Government response to this issue. Accordingly, as the data that has been received from TEPCO is only preliminary at this stage, I would like to refrain from announcing it at this point.

　

Q&As

REPORTER: With regard to the 20km no-entry zone, I believe that once the temporary return home scheme is started, the residents will only be able to take out a limited number of items from their homes. Does the Government plan to compensate these people for their goods and assets that they are unable to retrieve from the zone?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Of course, I think it is only natural that the residents should be compensated for the inconvenience caused by not being able to retrieve all their belongings. As I have stated earlier, the first priority is to allow all residents who wish to do so to return once, but it is not envisaged that the temporary returns will conclude when the first round is over. As I stated this morning, there have been a number of requests, and as the operation goes forward, more experience and knowledge will be accumulated, which will enable further improvements to be made to safety procedures for entry into the zone. I would therefore like to stress that the temporary return operations will not be limited to just one occasion, but will be ongoing.

REPORTER: During his visit to Fukushima Prefecture, the Prime Minister met with the governor of Fukushima, and reportedly stated that an announcement on the planned evacuation zones would be made tomorrow. By this did the Prime Minister mean that instructions would be issued tomorrow, or will specific instructions be issued later? Will a similar announcement be issued with regard to the emergency evacuation preparation zones?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As the Prime Minister indicated to the governor final preparations are being made on specific measures, which will be announced by tomorrow. The Government would like to make an announcement once specific details and the scope of the measures have been decided, and therefore final preparations are being made prior to the announcement, based on the discussions held between the Prime Minister and the governor of Fukushima Prefecture.

REPORTER: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has recently announced the results of monitoring in the 20km zone and there are some locations in that zone, such as Minamisoma and Namie, that have shown comparatively low readings. I think that by bundling the 20km zone into one area on the basis of a concentric circle extending from the power station may raise doubts about the designation among some people, for example residents from areas that have reported low figures. What are your views on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I would like the public and also the media to understand that the planned evacuation zones will be designated in the interest of safety, considering what the accumulated exposure to radiation may be for residents during the course of one year. With regard to the 20km zone, although the situation at the nuclear power station is not deteriorating, it cannot yet be said to be entirely stabilized and therefore preparations must be made in response to the possibility and risk of deterioration in the situation. Therefore, in the event that the situation deteriorates, in order that there are no adverse impact on the residents the Government has imposed entry restrictions in the 20km zone, and large parts of the 20-30km zone have been designated as emergency evacuation preparation zones, where residents have been requested to make preparations so that they can respond immediately to any situation. The standards are not based on whether monitoring results show high or low levels of radiation, but on geographic distance from the nuclear power station, because it is impossible to predict wind patterns and other factors if the situation were to deteriorate. I would like you to understand that it is for this reason that the designation has been made in terms of concentric circles and distance from the power station.

REPORTER: In relation to the recent announcement by MEXT, the reason that was given for not announcing the results of the monitoring in the 20km zone earlier was “an instruction received from the Prime Minister's Office.” Did the Prime Minister's Office stop the announcement of these figures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am not aware of this matter. The only report I received was that an announcement would be made after all the data collected had been thoroughly analyzed. It was maybe this morning or yesterday evening when I received a report that the announcement would be made in the format in which it was issued, and I thought that it would have been preferable to have issued it as quickly as possible. However, the announcement was not based on any instructions or directions from the Prime Minister's Office.

REPORTER: Is that to say that the Prime Minister's Office did not issue instructions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is unlikely that someone other than me would make a decision and give instructions and so it may be a case of there having been mistaken communication. As this is a matter of importance, I would like to confirm the facts.

REPORTER: I have a question about a completely different matter, concerning the relocation of the Futenma Air Station. Apparently there is a document compiled by the U.S. Marines regarding the realignment plan and the Marines have acknowledged the existence of this document, saying that it was uploaded onto the internet by mistake. In that document, it is stated that the Japanese Government will “begin construction of a retaining wall” at Camp Schwab, from around September to October this year. Is it actually the case that the Japanese Government has conveyed its intentions to the U.S. Government concerning such construction plans?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am aware of this report and I understand that the U.S. side is in the process of making various considerations, but I am not aware that any particular decision has been made. Accordingly, if the document you mention contains details of any matters that have not already been decided or announced by the Japanese Government, it can be assumed that these are not the views or decisions of the Government, but rather suppositions and conjecture. I have not seen the document and therefore cannot comment further. If anything is decided, I will duly report to you about it.

REPORTER: In case workers at the nuclear power station are suddenly exposed to radiation and their hematopoietic function is inhibited, I believe the Government has studied the possibility of collecting stem cells from the workers beforehand. On April 4, the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) said this was unnecessary. Meanwhile, Mr. Masao Yoshida, the head of the nuclear power station, has expressed his opinion that workers should be notified in advance that such methods are available. From the standpoint of crisis management, can you once again explain whether the Government thinks the prior collection of stem cells is necessary or unnecessary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Since I did not directly hear the opinion of Mr. Yoshida, there is not much I can say. The NSC and others have discussed the issue, and they have reported that this method is an effective precautionary measure if the workers are briefly exposed to high levels of radiation. We do need to carefully monitor cumulative radiation exposure. However, in terms of the response to the nuclear power station accident, bearing in mind that this accident is unlike other accidents where people are exposed to such high levels of radiation in a short period of time that the collection of stem cells is necessary, while also keeping in mind that these steps involve risks from the collection of stem cells, the NSC and others judged that this measure was not necessary for this accident. The reports I have received rather underscore the importance of radiation monitoring. That said, I believe we have to carefully listen to the views of Mr. Yoshida, who is struggling the most at the site.

REPORTER: Regarding the issue of TEPCO's compensation, I believe the Government is now in the process of reviewing the scheme. And I understand the Government will support TEPCO in the form of sharing the compensation. In the future is it possible that consumers will have to bear some of the burden through price increases or otherwise?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: At this stage, I believe it is still too early to comment on such specifics. We are committed to ensuring that compensation is paid to those who incurred damages from the accident. To guarantee that the compensation is paid, the Government understandably will share some of the costs up to a certain amount in accordance with the law as a sort of insurance policy. Regarding TEPCO's share, the company will see to it that all compensation is paid. The Government will firmly support TEPCO to ensure that electricity continues to be supplied to the Tokyo metropolitan area. That much is clear. As to their specifics, particularly how the funds will be secured, nothing has been decided yet at this stage. Our first priority is to discuss the provision of compensation payments which go beyond provisional payments at the earliest possible date to the evacuees, or the provision of compensation payments at the earliest possible date to those who are affected by the shipping restrictions.

REPORTER: A civic group has announced that it detected radioactive iodine in the breast milk of mothers in Ibaraki and Chiba Prefectures. There have not been standards set for breast milk in the past, but has the Government, or does the Government intend to, in some way, test for this or establish standards for breast milk that could be potentially consumed by infants who are highly susceptible to radiation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am aware that such an observation was released regarding breast milk. I therefore had instructed the MHLW to again investigate this issue. The fact that radioactive iodine was detected in breast milk is of course the result of consumption of food or water. We are, therefore, conducting thorough measurements of such substances in food, beverages, and the environment. There was a period when tap water temporarily displayed high levels. Nevertheless, the levels that were considered to be high in water―but still below the standard limits―later returned and have remained at harmless levels. In consideration of this, and since the tests we conducted lately reveal that levels in water and other foods are greatly lower than the so-called limits, we have decided that it is fine for everyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, to continue lives as usual, and we ask that people refrain from excessive worry. However, I am sure that mothers are extremely worried. Therefore, I think it will be necessary to offer a continued testings to confirm the safety of breast milk for these mothers, and I have already issued such orders to the MHLW.

REPORTER: Does that mean that you will not be establishing a standard limit? Normally, the limit for water―

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: At the current stage, in consideration of what was reported and released, I can assume that if thorough monitoring was employed, we would find that levels have significantly fallen, or that they are nonexistent. Nevertheless, I understand that people are worried, so the Government intends to conduct continued tests and confirm the results. When pregnant or breastfeeding women are placed in stressful situations, it is unhealthy for the child, so I would like to reassure people that experts have confirmed that the current levels of detected iodine pose no health risk. Moreover, just to be sure we will continue monitoring―I have ordered that monitoring be conducted―so please feel safe and continue life as usual.

REPORTER: This question is in regards to the partial distribution of spinach from Tako Town in Chiba Prefecture, where shipping restrictions are in place. This incident pertains to the credibility of the Government's previous explanations about past shipments being safe. How does the Government view this incident? Also, the farmer that shipped the spinach asserts that he did not know about the shipping restrictions. Do you believe there are some areas that must be improved in the shipping regulations system?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Shipping restrictions are built on the premise that relevant parties will accurately understand and respect it. I have not confirmed the reason for the breach in restrictions that you refer to; however, shipping spinach for which shipping restrictions have been applied damages the trust of consumers and ultimately inconveniences a wide range of parties, including the farmer that made the shipment as well as other farmers and related individuals. This is thus a truly regrettable incident. I will again have MAFF spread awareness of these restrictions as best they can. At the same time, I understand this is tremendously difficult for farmers, because they exerted great effort and time growing these crops, but if overall trust is lost for shipments, the result will be the loss of consumer trust. Taking these facts into consideration, the Government will work to ensure sufficient awareness of these restrictions.

REPORTER: The Japan-Australia Summit Meeting was delayed as a result of the Prime Minister's visit to the disaster area. I understand that there are times when such visits are more important than summit meetings, but was it absolutely necessarily for the Prime Minister to make his visit today?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The meeting was delayed? I apologize, but I am not aware of the detailed plans or schedule of the Prime Minister.

PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR: It was postponed for thirty minutes.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: If that is the case, then, his visit probably affected the start of the meeting. Meetings with individuals who that are visiting from other countries are of course important. At the same time, it is important for the Prime Minister to hear about the harsh and cruel circumstances of disaster victims and particularly those that fled as a result of the nuclear power station incident with only the clothes on their back―directly from the victims and to respond to the situation in consideration of what he hears. I do not believe it is feasible to try to compare which is more important, but if his arrival to the meeting was delayed by various circumstances, it is unfortunate and I feel terribly sorry for the Australian Prime Minister, who traveled all the way to Japan. At the same time, I think that she will understand these circumstances and the course of events.

REPORTER: Regarding the visit, was there a point to having it today?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Well, it has to do with the schedule of the Prime Minister and that of the Diet. Within these various schedules, I think the meeting with the Australian Prime Minister was originally arranged for this evening. As there was no Diet session to attend today, I believe the timetable was made on the assumption that he would be able to return in suitable time. If it appears to have been delayed as a result, although I have not yet confirmed the circumstances behind the delay, I am sorry for our guest in particular.

REPORTER: With the release of the MEXT monitoring survey results, has there been any progress regarding the prospects of lifting the no-entry zone within 20km around the station or the evacuation order?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As I said earlier, the issue is not the radiation level. The evacuation orders are a precaution against the event that the circumstances at the nuclear power station were to deteriorate, in the light of the possibility of being affected by such an event. The results of monitoring are, therefore, not directly related to this. The purpose is to investigate as much as possible, for example, to check the safety of temporary re-entry into the area, or to prepare for when the situation at the nuclear power station is brought to a close at some future stage.

REPORTER: I would like to ask about the temporary re-entry, and the plan to allow one representative member of each family. Can that person be of any age or pregnant with a child? Is there any indication from the Government regarding criteria or something, on who should be chosen?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Of course, our premise is to avoid the prospects of individuals such as children and pregnant women from doing this. The question of how to proceed in the event, for example, that a family consists solely of such a person has not been set out in a separate legislation. I think concerns of these people will be individually responded to upon consultation in a specific manner.

REPORTER: On a related point, I would like to ask about how the temporary returns home will be implemented. Will there be days when it is not possible, based on weather conditions; for instance, based on whether it is a rainy day, or the wind direction? In some reports, it has been said that groups of 20 people will travel by bus, and that a criterion has been established which will limit the amount of radiation received while in the area to below 1mSv. What are the actual facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Firstly, about the weather. I can state that in areas close to the nuclear power station in particular, even now, although the amount of radioactive material has decreased greatly, I have heard that basic policy is to avoid rain and wind. For further details on specific operations, I recommend asking the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) and other relevant institutions.