Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There are two announcements I would like to make. The first announcement is that Mr. Toshiso Kosako, Special Advisor to the Cabinet, submitted a letter of resignation which was accepted effective from today.

The second announcement is about my scheduled visit to Miyagi Prefecture. I am going to visit Miyagi Prefecture on Thursday, May 5, to see the state of recovery in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and will return to Tokyo on the same day. I will visit the Miyagi Prefectural Office, Oritate Housing Complex and Nagamachi Temporary Housings in Sendai City, Yuriage District of Natori City, Onagawa Town, and other places. We will be positing a notice of details such as the timetable of the visit this afternoon.

Q&As

REPORTER: My question concerns the resignation of Special Advisor Kosako. In his press conference, he stated, "The Government's responses to the nuclear incident are not in accordance with the law and justice," among the reasons for his resignation. Since this gap of recognition became apparent after the Prime Minister officially appointed him as Special Advisor, I think the impact of his resignation will be absolutely enormous. Is there actually any aspect in the Government's responses to the nuclear incident that is not in accordance with the law and justice? Or is the resignation of Special Advisor Kosako largely due to misunderstanding on his part? What does the Government think on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: At least, I am confident that the Government's responses are not against justice. We are also making sure that our responses thoroughly comply with the law. I think there must be some misconception or misunderstanding.

REPORTER: Concerning Special Advisor Kosako's resignation, he said in his press conference yesterday that the radiation limit in the elementary schools in Fukushima Prefecture has been established based on the annual exposure limit of 20mSv. He very strongly criticizes that decision. I recall that there were opinions among the members of the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) that the limit should be lowered to 10mSv. Also, concerning the evacuation of residents, the Government has been requiring rigorous measures such as not to allow the entry of infants, children, and pregnant women into the emergency evacuation preparation zones. Doesn't the latest decision contradict with these measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that is clearly a misunderstanding. That guideline is not at all intended to allow the annual radiation exposure up to 20mSv. The schools in question are, geographically speaking, located in the region where annual radiation exposure is not expected to reach 20mSv. Also, concerning the school yard, I recall the limit is going to be 3.8µSv/h. Our calculation is that if a person spends 8 hours in the middle of the school yard and spends the remaining 16 hours inside a wooden building every day for 365 days straight, the radiation exposure level will reach 20mSv. However, for each school we are conducting precise radiation dosage monitoring, and observed that the radiation level above the concrete and asphalt grounds in the said schools has declined to about half of the level found in the soil. We are also conducting thorough monitoring inside the school buildings, and observed that the radiation exposure level has declined to about a tenth in each school. Furthermore, since we are asking these schools to restrict outdoor activities just to be safe, the assumption that a person spends 8 hours in the outdoors is not realistic to begin with. Also, as of April 28, in 11 out of 13 schools where we restricted outdoor activities the hourly radiation dosage is already below the stipulated 3.8µSv/h. On top of this, in each school we are asking the teachers to carry dosimeters to measure the actual radiation exposure value. As such we are conducting thorough monitoring, among other safety measures, and will confirm the results thereof every two weeks. We are not at all envisaging the radiation exposure level of nearly 20mSv; rather the actual exposure is expected to be far below that limit. That is the reasoning behind the latest guidelines presented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

REPORTER: According to this explanation, can I assume that right now there is no need for MEXT to lower the limit through a revised guideline?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The MEXT guideline is based on the stance that, "With 1-20mSv as a provisional standard value, it is appropriate to reduce children's radiation exposure as much as possible moving forward," and is not intended to allow radiation exposure level of up to 20mSv. Therefore, what Mr. Kosako is saying is based on misconception or misunderstanding. The latest guideline does not at all suppose that children would attend school in an environment where annual radiation exposure level will be nearly 20mSV; the actual exposure is expected to be far below that number. That said, we have drawn a line at 20mSv/year from the safety perspective for this broad area, in accordance with the standards presented by international institutions. What we have done is establish a limit for schools where the annual radiation exposure level may reach 20mSv in the outdoors, just to be safe. We are not at all supposing that the radiation exposure will reach that level even if children attend these schools, and in order to verify this assumption we have been conducting very precise monitoring repeatedly as I just explained.

REPORTER: After hearing your explanation now, I sort of understand the situation. However, why would an expert like Mr. Kosako make that kind of misunderstanding? Also, given the fact that he, a person who advises the Prime Minister, was making various statements while misunderstanding the situation, I would think this will fuel public concerns. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is regretful that the misunderstanding has caused people to worry. In the wake of the recent disaster, we have asked numerous people to serve as special advisors and other roles. For a first opinion, the Government or the Cabinet turns to the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC). From the perspective of receiving a second opinion, we carefully listen to expert opinions from a variety of angles and positions. I believe this has a certain degree of meaning. In this context, regarding the guideline presented by MEXT, I understand that there is general agreement among the opinions of experts in radiation medicine and other areas, beginning with the NSC as well as the nuclear disaster expert group at the Prime Minister's Office.

REPORTER: According to what you said just now, Mr. Kosako misunderstood the situation. Before he submitted his letter of resignation, did the Government explain to Mr. Kosako that he had misunderstood the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I was not directly involved. However, I have been briefed that Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Goshi Hosono and others have spoken with former Special Advisor Kosako. In addition, what actually transpired was this. We were informed that Mr. Kosako had an intention to resign, and then later received word that he wished to meet with us. Since the Budget Committee meeting would last all of yesterday and the question and answer session would be held this morning, we let Mr. Kosako know that he can meet with the Prime Minister directly if it is after today's Budget Committee meeting. I understand he said something to the effect of "OK, I will see him then." However, for some reason, yesterday before the meeting took place, he all of a sudden brought his letter of resignation. I understand this was what happened.

REPORTER: So the Government did not persuade him to stay and accepted his resignation today?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Based on our discussion that it was possible for him to meet with the Prime Minister today, we were just beginning to arrange the schedule. Then all of a sudden, he came and left his letter of resignation. Since we were asking him to share his wisdom as an advisor, we judged that under the circumstances it was not appropriate to persuade him to stay. Therefore, we accepted his request as stated.

REPORTER: So ultimately, the Government had wanted to listen to him, but he submitted his letter of resignation. Ultimately it was the Prime Minister who appointed Mr. Kosako, and after all this decision created confusion. I believe this brings to question the Prime Minister's responsibility for appointing Mr. Kosako. What are your opinions on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe there are a variety ways of interpreting this. Although the accident at the nuclear power station has been described as "unanticipated", we have to be careful with how we use this word. It is not that this accident could not be foreseen. However, considering that preparations had not been made based on an adequate set of assumptions, we realize this is an area which requires particularly a high level of expertise. I understand that Professor Kosako specializes mainly in nuclear reactors. On these matters, I believe it was necessary to gain insights from as broad a range of people as possible.

REPORTER: Ultimately, this caused anxiety among the people and created confusion. I believe there were large secondary effects.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I believe there are various ways of seeing this. Also, especially with regards to the points I have just made, I have fully explained and I have just said that there was a misunderstanding over the issue related to elementary schools on which a question was asked. Meanwhile, especially in the initial stages after the accident occurred, there was no doubt a period when it was critical to gain specialized knowledge and insight on nuclear reactors. I believe at that time, under these circumstances, it was particularly important to collect as much insight as possible with a view to carefully containing the situation and bringing about the current situation.

REPORTER: I would like to ask about the decontamination of radiation in school yards. Recently, when you visited Iitate village, you expressed a positive attitude, stating that you would implement the decontamination of farm land as a national project. In regard to school yards, I think that rather severe restrictions are currently being imposed insofar as elementary school children are concerned, in areas such as dust inhalation. What will the Government's involvement be in the decontamination of school yards, from now on?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Of course, the least possible exposure to radiation is desirable. Therefore, we would like to do as much as we can for both the children and schools. Nevertheless, on the subject of internal radiation exposure, we appear to be in general agreement with the experts about the levels inhaled, and the effects that would have. With the level of internal exposure expected to be roughly 2% of external exposure on average, setting aside for now the circumstances surrounding food and the case if highly concentrated radioactive material is present in the atmosphere or if the soil is inhaled in an extremely dry condition, as in the case of the recent tornadoes in the United States, it is important, rather, for us to carefully manage external exposure. This is something which we seem to be in agreement with the experts about. Having said that, I am aware that there must be various concerns, and so the question is what kinds of countermeasures are possible. One method would be to replace the topsoil; however, if collected, the concentration of radioactive materials will rise, leading to the problem of where and how to dispose of it, and whether someone would accept it. Although we are carefully monitoring, in particular, the amount of radioactive material, and the amount of radiation it is causing, if these levels do not fall by enough, then I think we will have to reassess certain aspects. As I said earlier, I would like to judge the situation based on continued, detailed monitoring, which would include asking teachers to carry dosimeters, and monitoring inside buildings.

REPORTER: If you proceed in this way, would you, basically, entrust the disposal of topsoil to the municipalities?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: That is one viewpoint at the moment; if we put it another way, if we collect only the surface, the concentration of radioactive materials will rise. If there were no issue of where and how to dispose of the soil in question, then we would have to think about the effects caused by the soil which has increased in concentration; would there be effects elsewhere later? I feel it would be rather difficult to make progress without serious consideration of this point. On the other hand, the health of the children is naturally the first priority, and therefore, as I have said before, we intend to repeatedly check safety.

REPORTER: Changing the subject, the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministerial Meeting has just concluded. Please comment on what report you have received.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: There was discussion about response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear power station incident, partnerships between the public and private sectors of Japan and the United States to promote reconstruction, as well as about issues of global scale, such as the situation in the Asia-Pacific region including in the Democratic Republic of North Korea (DPRK), the situation in the Middle East and Africa, and United Nations Security Council reform. Also, recognizing the importance of holding the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (2+2) meeting, we decided to continue efforts to coordinate a schedule.

REPORTER: Was there any discussion on developments regarding the shape of the runway at the replacement facility for Futenma Air Station?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: That is all the report I have received.

REPORTER: What is the current situation of this matter in the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We are paying consideration to various different circumstances.

REPORTER: Also, during the Golden Week holiday break Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Katsuya Okada and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa are scheduled to visit Okinawa. Have you thought about what the Government is to communicate to Okinawa during that visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Generally speaking, a meeting is by nature a place where people meet to directly discuss something. If I talked about what is to be said in the meeting beforehand, that would undermine the point of the meeting.

REPORTER: This question is about the salaries of national government employees. Some sources are reporting that the Government plans to hold labor management consultations with the intention of reducing salaries by 10 percent. What is the current status of considerations on reducing the salaries of Government employees?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Considerations are currently being made within the Government on the specific details of such cuts, but they have not advanced further than that.

REPORTER: The DPJ had previously sought to cut personnel expenses by 20 percent overall. In response to the disaster, however, has that idea changed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In the mid-term-even though it is difficult to define what "mid-term" means at present-the greater objective of cutting personnel expenses by 20 percent will not change as a direct result of the disaster. However, it goes without saying that municipalities in the disaster area are struggling to respond to the disaster. Furthermore, the prefectural governments are also working hard to support those municipalities. At the same time, in consideration of these circumstances, the national government is also providing a significant amount of assistance to municipal governments by sending a large number of employees to prefectures and municipalities, and especially to those that have lost their government office functions wholly or to a large extent, or in places where the government itself has had to evacuate due to issues such as the nuclear power station incident. Municipal governments in these areas have a tremendous amount of work to do. Considering this situation we have to closely assess how much thought must be paid to such issues in the short-term.

REPORTER: Is it possible that salaries will be reduced in labor management consultations before coordination is made with the current recommendations of the National Personnel Authority, or before the reforms of the civil service system?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As I said we are paying consideration to a wide range of factors.

REPORTER: This question is also in response to certain reports, but some news outlets have reported that the Government has told target municipalities that it will be conducting temporary re-entries into the no-entry zone for nine municipalities in a stepwise fashion. It was said that these re-entries would be conducted for groups of three municipalities at a time, starting after the Golden Week holiday season and running until the beginning of June. Please comment on the accuracy of this statement and what considerations are being made.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have received a report that the Local Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and others are working together with the relevant municipal governments to consider the issue in various ways. These considerations, however, are not unilateral and the situation of everyone in each municipality is extremely important, so I should not comment on the specific details of those considerations while they are still in progress.

REPORTER: Just a little while ago at the committee meeting, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda said that the payment of compensation from TEPCO might take longer than expected and the Government may thus reimburse citizens. What are your thoughts on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Of course, we must have compensation paid as quickly as possible - or partial payments made - to evacuees and those affected by the disaster. We must make that process be expedited, and we have to hurry. If faster payments could be ensured by the Government reimbursing citizens due to TEPCO's circumstances, then I believe that that is what we must do. However, the reality is we are making citizens in dire need wait due to assessment and straightening up of the situation of damage as well as payment operations, rather than TEPCO's circumstances. I think the reimbursement is theoretically possible, and I think the payment will be made in the fastest way possible without actually taking this kind of steps.