Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: You have said previously that the budget for reconstruction needs to be compiled in a prompt manner. What are your thoughts on the latest timing for the compilation and submission of the third supplementary budget?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: First of all, preparations are being expedited for the compilation of the second supplementary budget, which is focused mainly on recovery and the items that were not sufficiently covered in the first supplementary budget. At the same time, we expect the recommendations of the Reconstruction Design Council to be issued very soon. Based on those recommendations we will start compilation work for the third supplementary budget, and it would be preferable for it to be completed as soon as possible.

REPORTER: Are we to understand, therefore, that not only the submission of the third supplementary budget, but also the compilation work for it will be conducted after the selection of a new party leader?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In a certain sense, the compilation work has already begun. The members of the Reconstruction Design Council are already engaged in discussions and therefore budget compilation work has started based on general assumptions about the policies that will be proposed by the various ministries and agencies in response to the discussions of the Council.

REPORTER: With regard to Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the work on the circulating water injection and cooling system was supposed to have been implemented smoothly according to the Roadmap provided, but that work has not progressed smoothly. The cause for the delay has been cited as problems with the operation of purification units produced overseas by companies such as Kurion and Areva. In terms of technical support, does the government intend to actively utilize domestic companies also?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In general terms, the Roadmap for operations at the power station has been compiled with the direction of making maximum use of technologies and knowledge from within Japan and overseas, with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) taking the lead and liaising with the Integrated Response Office. In addition, with regard to the water circulation system I think that the situation may be causing people concern, but as it is the case that an enormous piece of equipment that was not installed before is being put into operation to circulate water, I believe that the Roadmap takes account of some degree of initial trouble. A number of problems have emerged in the process but these are not significant in nature and operations are currently continuing at the nuclear power station, with everyone working hard to put the equipment into operation and iron out any anomalies as they emerge. I believe that the circulation system will be able to be put into operation within the anticipated timeframe under current conditions.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There are reports that the secondary supplementary budget incorporates a framework of one trillion yen allocated from government bonds for the creation of a nuclear assistance organization. What are the facts behind these reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Work is proceeding apace on the compilation of the second supplementary budget for items that urgently require budgetary allocation, including those related to the nuclear power station. It is true that such measures are being considered but the budget is still in the process of compilation.

REPORTER: The figure quoted for the budgetary allocation for such an organization differs according to press reports, between one and two trillion yen. What is the actual scale of the budgetary allocation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: That is something which is currently being deliberated and coordinated at the moment.

(Abridged)