Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have three items I would like to report. The first is on the setting and lifting of shipping restrictions. In accordance with Article 20 Paragraph 3 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, today we placed shipping restrictions on log-grown shiitake mushrooms cultivated outdoors in Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture. Conversely, we lifted the shipping restrictions that had been placed on log-grown shiitake mushrooms cultivated outdoors in Iwaki City of the same prefecture. We have issued instructions on both matters to the Governor of the Prefecture. For further details, please direct your questions to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) or the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

Next I would like to talk about the organization of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Products Disaster Support Fairs. These Fairs are being publicized on the website of MAFF. Fairs and a campaign to sell agriculture, forestry and marine products produced in disaster-affected regions have been taking place all over the country, and many company cafeterias as well as restaurants are increasing the use of ingredients from these areas. These kinds of initiatives are extremely important for dispelling the malicious rumors about the area's products. On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation on these activities. We hope to further expand upon these kinds of initiatives to have the entire country enjoying products from the disaster-stricken areas, thereby supporting the region's food industry. We are hoping to see many people visit the Fairs as well.

The third item has to do with an answer I gave to a question during a press conference on April 22, which may have been misunderstood. I said that we came to the decision to exclude Iwaki City from the reach of a nearby Planned Evacuation Zone "in response to strong calls and demands from the residents." I have received a message from the Mayor of Iwaki City that he is unaware of any such demands having been made. My comment was based on what I perceived to be the feelings of residents, and was in line with views expressed to me that they wanted to be left out of the evacuation areas. However, I did not share this information quite enough and the remark has caused a misunderstanding. I have already apologized to the Mayor of Iwaki City for this, and would like to set the record straight. I had a phone call with Mayor Watanabe a moment ago, and received his understanding on this. I would also like to apologize and report to him again in writing, as that is the form in which I received his complaint. We did exchange opinions with each area before determining where the zones would be set this time. I want to say once again that the national government is establishing zones in this sort of responsible way.

Q&As

REPORTER: General local elections are over, and I think it is obvious that the result is what it is due to a lack of confidence in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). To what extent do you think Prime Minister Kan should take responsibility for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As a member of the Cabinet, I take my orders from the Prime Minister. I want to focus on fulfilling my duties in this capacity.

REPORTER: Can a Prime Minister who lacks the trust of the people really complete the huge amount of work necessary for recovery and reconstruction?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The Kan Administration is currently entrusted with running the Cabinet. As long as this is the case, we will continue to exert every effort toward reconstruction and recovery. I believe that is our role.

REPORTER: Although you have said that the Cabinet is doing everything it can for reconstruction and recovery, the results of the general local election suggest that the people do not understand you on this very well. Why do you think that is?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There are many causes and reasons behind the way an election turns out. It would not be appropriate, particularly for me with my position in the current Government, to comment on any one of these reasons.

REPORTER: On the organizational structure for reconstruction work, the Prime Minister announced in his press conference last week that he wants to move forward with what is being called "Kamei Design" - referring to the importance of People's New Party representative Shizuka Kamei to this process. Have any opposing opinions been expressed about this within the party? Also, if this fails, will the Prime Minister take responsibility for it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Each party has offered to cooperate beyond party boundaries for reconstruction and disaster response work so that we can move forward as a nation. We are extremely grateful for the cooperation we are receiving. As for how exactly we should move forward, I think that there are many opinions in each party about that. Many people are working to coordinate these differing opinions, and we are really grateful for this as well. The position of the Cabinet is that we would like to see some kind of a consensus among all of the opinions of each different party, and then if anyone has instructions or something about which they want to consult with us, they will do so and we will respond accordingly. I have not yet received any such instructions though.

REPORTER: The Prime Minister called on the opposition parties to participate in a reconstruction implementation headquarters or some kind during his press conference on Friday. Despite this being an issue involving government administration, the Prime Minister did not offer any concrete comments about the matter. Will the headquarters be a mere cooperative body for ruling and opposition parties, or will you be entrusting some portion of the authority to rule to this body? What are you considering during the current proposal stage?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It will be just as you put it. Each person that should take part in the Headquarters is now working out what the best way forward is based on the opinions expressed by each party. We are already receiving cooperation on many points from those in each party. The Government would like to see this cooperation carried out in as widespread a manner as possible. I expect that we will be able to work out an even more efficient work procedure that brings together the opinions of each party in consideration of their many views.

REPORTER: Can I take that to mean that the Prime Minister is suggesting this without having made any concrete decision about its content?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Each party is different, and they will each discuss different things. It depends on who we are working with. I believe that once a certain direction is decided upon, I will receive a report and some instructions about the matter.

REPORTER: As a follow up, the end of the Golden Week holiday period will mark the passage of nearly two months since the earthquake, yet the Government has still not designated an organization to lead the reconstruction effort. Just how long do you intend to continue on with cross-party discussion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: This concerns both the opinions of those we are working with and the actual situation on the ground in each area affected by the disaster. I believe that we will set up an organization when the time is right. I will say, however, that I don't think we need to wait for the end of Golden Week to set a certain direction.

REPORTER: In an opinion poll conducted by Fuji Television and the Sankei Shimbun, more than 75% of respondents indicated that they did not approve of the Government's response to the nuclear power station accident and more than 60% indicated their dissatisfaction with the response to the disaster, including moves toward reconstruction. What are your views on these poll results and what aspects do you think that the public is dissatisfied with?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that in terms of politics and national government administration, it is extremely important to hear the views of the public and individual opinion polls are one significant way in which to gauge public opinion. However individual opinion polls may not accurately reflect the actual public mood and as I have said in the past, I do not respond to questions concerning individual opinion polls. Given the many people who have been affected by this disaster and the many people who have also evacuated due to the accident at the nuclear power station, I think it is natural that there will be critical opinions raised. In response to these critical opinions, the Government will continue to make maximum efforts to ensure that the people affected can return to their normal lives as quickly as possible.

REPORTER: Returning to the topic of the general local elections, you said that the multiple factors behind the results should not be pared down to a single issue. I believe that it is very important for the Government to listen to the opinions of the public. What message do you think that the public wished to convey to the Government on this occasion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have nothing further to add to my initial comments concerning the elections. With regard to the response to the disaster, the government realizes that the public as a whole has conveyed a strong message that an even more robust and thorough response is required, in order to ensure that the people who have evacuated, the people who have been affected by the disaster, the people who have been affected by shipment restrictions and all other people may return as quickly as possible to their normal lives. The Government seeks to respond to this message and make further efforts towards reconstruction.

REPORTER: Within the DPJ there are those who are questioning the responsibility of the leadership, as mentioned earlier. You have just said that the Government must "make a robust and thorough response." What do you think that the DPJ should do to respond to the situation from now and what response should be made by DPJ Diet members?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe that not just DPJ Diet members, but all persons who are responsible for and involved in politics and national government administration should focus on conveying a message and engaging in actions that are best for the people affected by the disaster and those forced to evacuate due to the nuclear power station accident.

REPORTER: Yesterday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sengoku referred to additional income taxes and increases in income tax for a fixed period as part of fiscal revenues for reconstruction. How do you view the comments made by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Everyone recognizes the fact that fiscal revenues for reconstruction will be required. However, I think it is likely that there will be varying opinions about the way in which these fiscal revenues will be raised. Also, discussions themselves cannot proceed without a clear vision of what kind of reconstruction is being sought. I think that the point mentioned by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sengoku is one of a number of proposals that could be considered.

REPORTER: So the statement made by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary is not one that the Government is giving particular focus to or seeking to move forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: No, at the current point the Government has not singled out any specific policy direction.

REPORTER: Returning to the opinion poll that was mentioned earlier, the number of people who thought that the Prime Minister should resign stood at 44%, which was more or less the same as the number of people who thought that he should not resign, at 44.4%. This would suggest that approximately half of the public think that the Prime Minister should resign. How do you view this result? Also, do you think that the fact people do not approve of the response to the disaster could be linked to opinions that the Prime Minister should resign?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I would refer you to my earlier response, relating to questions about individual opinion polls.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the timetable for operations issued by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). In his press conference the other day, the Prime Minister stated that the timetable issued by TEPCO is feasible, assuming that the Government and TEPCO work closely together. What did he mean specifically when he stated that the Government would work together with TEPCO? Does this mean that the Government will take on responsibility for the management of the progress of the timetable and any explanations that may be required?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Of course the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) will oversee the status of progress as the government organization concerned. In addition, Japan is currently receiving assistance from international sources in various processes at the power station, including from the United States government and major corporations in France. This is one representative and easy-to-understand example in which the Government would act as a liaison with foreign governments. The achievement of the timetable laid out by TEPCO is not something that TEPCO can achieve on its own. It is naturally the case that the Government will assist TEPCO and work together with the company.

REPORTER: In the recent Diet committee meeting, Minister Ryu Matsumoto stated that he is seeking to have an article incorporated into the Special Financial Aid Act for Serious Disasters concerning assessment of damage caused by liquefaction, which has been an issue in this disaster in cities such as Urayasu. Is this an issue to which specific consideration is being given?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am aware that the government offices concerned are engaged in consideration regarding how to respond to the many impacts and damages caused by this disaster.

REPORTER: I have a question also related to the Diet committee meeting, in which the Prime Minister stated that that the Government is doing what it should be doing. However, given the lack of progress in the construction of temporary housing, what does he mean when he states that the Government is doing what it should be doing? I was not clear about the Prime Minister's point.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is the case that in the various situations we are currently facing, some of the results that have been expected have yet to come to fruition and this is something that we very much regret and are working on efforts to review and revise the measures that need improvement. We will continue to make maximum efforts in this regard. However, I think it is only natural that the people who have been directly affected by the disaster would want to see results achieved faster and more dynamically. The Government takes the opinions that have been raised with the utmost seriousness and while we continue to aim to do our best, we will continue to seek to achieve improvements to the process on a daily basis.

REPORTER: I refer again to the opinion poll that has been conducted. In response to a question about who would be a suitable candidate for Prime Minister, Mr. Ichiro Ozawa came top, with 9.2% of respondents naming him, and you came in second place, with 8.0% of respondents name you. How do you view these results?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I would refer you to my earlier response, relating to questions about individual opinion polls.