Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have three items to report. First of all, I would like to report on the Cabinet meeting that was held today. The meeting approved two items of legislation and personnel decisions. There were a number of statements by ministers in the meeting. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications reported on the results of a labor force survey and the results of consumer price index and household budget surveys, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare gave a report on the national ratio of jobs to applicants and the Prime Minister made a statement concerning a temporary acting Minister during periods when the Minister is on an overseas visit. In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting Minister Nakano made a statement about human-rights education and awareness relating to the issues of abductions perpetrated by North Korea. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications reported on the interim measures relating to recruitment of national public officers. The Minister of the Environment made a statement concerning the bringing forward of the annual "Cool Biz" campaign, and I made a request in my capacity as Minister of State for Okinawa for Cabinet members to wear Okinawan kariyushi shirts during the Cool Biz season.

Of the matters I have just mentioned I have a report to make concerning the moving forward of the implementation of the annual Cool Biz campaign. Today, there was a statement by the Minister of the Environment in ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting and it was decided to move forward the starting date for Cool Biz by one month compared to usual, meaning that the Cool Biz period will begin from May. The end of the Cool Biz period has also been extended by one month, until the end of October. This decision has been made on the basis of the necessity to implement power saving methods and raise awareness about power saving in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, in addition to the usual stated purpose of Cool Biz, which is intended as a measure to counter global warming. In the ministerial discussions, in conjunction with the decision to move forward the Cool Biz period, in my capacity as Minister of State for Okinawa, I requested Cabinet members consider Okinawan kariyushi shirts as one apparel option during the campaign period. For details pertaining to Cool Biz, please direct your questions to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE).

Prior to the Cabinet meeting of the Council on the State of the Economy was held. In the meeting Minister Yosano and Minister Gemba presented a draft outline of an overall guideline for policy promotion, following instructions received from the Prime Minister last Friday, and discussions on this draft outline took place. Based on the discussions held in the meeting today, Minister Yosano and Minister Gemba will work together on finalizing the overall guideline for policy promotion. I believe that Minister Yosano has already briefed members of the press concerning the details of the Council meeting.

Q&As

REPORTER: There are reports circulating that the Government is considering the abolition on the upper limit for radiation exposure for workers engaged in operations at the nuclear power station. Are such reports true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: You are talking about the abolition of the 250mSv upper limit on exposure to radiation?

REPORTER: Yes.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am not aware of this matter at all and I think that you can take it that it is not being considered within the Government as a whole.

REPORTER: I think that in ministerial discussions today you spoke about reviewing the current organization and structures for recovery and reconstruction. What specifically did you talk about?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There has been some criticism that there are too many meetings being held. The various bodies that have been established, including the various response headquarters and others, have not been established merely for the purpose of holding meetings, but to ensure that the relevant people from all ministries and agencies concerned can come together to coordinate disaster response operations in a cross-governmental manner. Various coordination efforts are currently being implemented to ensure that the various purposes and mandates of the various bodies that have been established are easy to understand from their names and positioning. These coordination efforts are in an advanced state of progress, but some matters remain to be finalized. When everything has been finalized, they will be duly reported through the necessary channels.

REPORTER: In a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Finance Noda stated that a great deal of consideration would be given to the issue of placing an upper limit on the compensation liability of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Does this mean that the Government has not yet reached agreement that no upper limit will be imposed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe that the issue of an upper limit is one that is open to interpretation, but when an upper limit is mentioned in general, it in no way implies that the people who have been affected would not receive compensation for damages because an upper limit is in place. That is what I stated yesterday.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the moving forward of the Cool Biz campaign. I understand that the MOE will provide details, but does it mean that the Cool Biz style will be permitted in warmer regions until October? By October, places like Hokkaido will already be quite cold, so does this measure imply that Cool Biz style will be also implemented in such places until October?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: This is something you should ask the MOE, but the Cool Biz campaign is by no means obligatory. Apparel that is not in the style of Cool Biz will of course be still allowed and we would like people to make their own decision. It is the general case that men wear suits and neckties for work, but during the Cool Biz period, the Government and the Diet will make allowances for Cool Biz-type apparel to be worn. However, this campaign is of course flexible as the weather varies from region to region and from day to day.

REPORTER: Yesterday work began to remove the top layer of earth from school playgrounds in elementary schools in Fukushima Prefecture. It appears that subsequently residents close to the location where this top layer of earth was due to be disposed have raised objections and the disposal operations have been temporarily halted. What is your opinion on this situation, given the fact that it was a proactive measure carried out by the local government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The Government has not received any particular report concerning the details of this matter. Various measures such as soil improvement will be necessary as we move forward. I am aware that the issue of soil improvement will not be an easy one, fraught with questions concerning how to dispose of the soil that contains radioactive materials and how to ensure safety and the understanding of residents concerning disposal. Where necessary, the Government will provide cooperation to prefectures that seek advice and consultation on this matter.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning fiscal revenues for reconstruction. Within the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) there have been a number of emergency meetings held that are opposed to tax hike. How do you view this widening opposition to tax increases within the party? Do you think this opposition will have an impact on discussions within the Government on fiscal revenues for reconstruction?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Within the Cabinet there are currently no specific deliberations being made on fiscal revenues, including the question of tax increases. As I have already stated previously, various deliberations are underway within the party and there are a number of views on the issue. This is not the point, however, where the Cabinet is discussing the specifics of fiscal revenues, or the possibility of tax increases.

REPORTER: If there is opposition to tax increases within the DPJ, then I think it will be a matter, of course, that discussion will turn to other means of raising revenue. As you view the internal party discussions, what do you think would be an alternative to tax increases and what further discussions do you anticipate with regard to this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that within the party various alternatives will probably be discussed. I believe that the Cabinet would refer to the content of such discussions when the time comes for Cabinet consideration on the matter and for a Government policy and concept to be laid out.

REPORTER: Sorry to slightly change the subject, but I believe after the Cabinet meeting you met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, and the Prime Minister. What did you discuss with regards to the visit to the U.S. by the Prime Minister, the "Two-Plus-Two" meeting, and the visit to the U.S. by the Foreign Minister?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: With the approval of the Diet, the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be making visits, beginning with the U.S., from April 29. Since various countries and the international community have extended support for the nuclear power station accident or the earthquake disaster, we exchanged information or exchanged views on the Foreign Minister's visit to the U.S. and overseas trips. Bearing in mind the nuclear power station accident, the earthquake disaster, and so on, international conferences or meetings with the U.S. at the destination of the visits will be held. However, because the meetings have yet to take place, I am afraid at this preliminary stage I cannot say what type of meetings we are planning to hold.

REPORTER: On a different subject, I believe normally around this time, preparations are being made for the Spring Conferment of Decorations. How is the schedule of the ceremony affected by the disaster?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In the wake of the disaster, we have decided to postpone the ceremony, as timing-wise it would be difficult to hold the ceremony according to the usual schedule. If I am not mistaken, I believe I made this announcement before. In the disaster-stricken areas, there are still people who are facing hardships, including living in evacuation centers. On the other hand, a mood of self-restraint, in a variety of meanings, would in the end adversely affect the Japanese economy, which in turn would also adversely affect the restoration and reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas. In this context, many people share the idea that we should refrain from a mood of excessive self-restraint. Bearing these circumstances in mind, we are considering what to do with the Spring Conferment of Decorations, while it is inevitable that it will be held later than its initially planned date.

REPORTER: There are some reports that say the Government will announce in May that it will accede to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, or Hague Abduction Convention. Can you tell us whether this is true or not and the status of the Government's considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Regarding the Hague Convention, within the Government, considerations are being made mainly at the meetings of the senior vice-ministers among the relevant ministries and agencies. Although we hope to arrive at a decision as soon as possible, as of today a final decision has not been made.

REPORTER: Does that mean the discussion is in the final stages?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The senior vice-ministers are exploring the issue with a view to arriving at a decision as soon as possible.

REPORTER: Regarding the Reconstruction Headquarters which will lead the reconstruction efforts, I believe the Government is in talks with the opposition parties. The other day, you said that the Government hopes to make a decision without waiting until after the Golden Week holiday. What is the status of the talks right now in terms of when a decision is expected to be made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We would very much like to discuss this with each of the opposition parties and have their cooperation, and I understand that Mr. Shizuka Kamei, President of the People's New Party, and Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Chair of the Democratic Party of Japan Policy Research Committee, are holding talks with each party. As far as the Cabinet is concerned, we would soon like to get the administrative work started for the actual reconstruction. Therefore, as I mentioned before, we hope a Government decision will nevertheless be made during the holiday. However, at this time, we are waiting to see how Mr. Kamei's and Mr. Gemba's talks with the parties go and the results and conclusions of those talks.

REPORTER: According to some reports, the Chubu Electric Power Company intends to resume operations by July of Unit 3 of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station, which is being checked as part of its routine inspections. Can you confirm the facts? Are you aware of this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have not received any reports on this in particular.