Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the Reconstruction Headquarters and the heads of the local reconstruction headquarters, there are some opinions that the heads of the local headquarters will find it difficult to dedicate themselves permanently to the local headquarters due to other work commitments. What are your views on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Unfortunately, as we have been unable to gain the understanding of the Diet with regard to increasing the number of Senior Vice Ministers and other senior officials, it is the case that the existing Senior Vice Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries who already have various duties have been requested to serve as the heads of the local reconstruction headquarters. The Cabinet Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and Ministry of Finance (MOF) are currently in the process of coordinating whether work done by such Senior Vice Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries can be handed to others so that those appointed as the heads of the local reconstruction headquarters can spend the majority of their time on site. Whatever the case, it will be necessary for Senior Vice Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to attend the Diet. Coordination to enable them to spend the majority of their time at the local reconstruction headquarters will be overseen by me at the Cabinet Office, with similar efforts being made at MOF and MLIT.

REPORTER: I asked the same question at yesterday's press conference, but as for the reduction of the evacuation areas, what is the current status of consideration within the Government and when do you think the reduction of these areas will be accomplished? Can you give us some specifics with regard to the processes being advanced?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As I mentioned yesterday, the first priority is to eliminate the risk of a hydrogen explosion or similar occurrence at the nuclear power station, which would result in the sudden release of radioactive materials in the surrounding areas, and at the very least reduce the levels of radiation to those that are normal in the vicinity of power stations. Once that stage is reached, it will be possible to consider revising the evacuation areas, especially in emergency evacuation preparation areas, where radiation levels are not high. In order to progress to that stage it is necessary to gain a firm understanding of the actual integral radiation dose and the radiation levels. The first priority is to ensure as quickly as possible that the risk of the situation at the nuclear reactors suddenly deteriorating is eliminated. Therefore, regrettably, we have not yet reached the stage where a decision can be made on which areas evacuation orders or evacuation preparation orders can be lifted. Efforts are continuing with the aim of achieving such an objective at an early juncture.

REPORTER: Yesterday you also talked about the revision of evacuation areas. The planned evacuation areas have been established, not on the basis of the possibility of another hydrogen explosion, but actually on the current integral radiation dose. I would like to confirm whether or not the considerations for these planned evacuation areas are related to the potential for a further hydrogen explosion, and if such considerations only apply to emergency evacuation areas and the no entry zone. Also, are the areas in the southern area of the 20km no entry zone not directly related to changes in the planned evacuation areas?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The purpose for the establishment of the planned evacuation areas was different from the criteria for the emergency evacuation preparation areas and the 20km radius no entry zone. The situation is one whereby if the risk of a sudden deterioration in the nuclear reactors resulting in the sudden release and dispersal of radioactive materials is reduced, then we will be able to give consideration to the revision of the emergency evacuation preparation areas and others.

REPORTER: Even within the 20km no entry zone, if the potential for a further explosion is eliminated, there are areas within that zone where the accumulated levels of radiation are not so dangerous.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: This is something that would be decided once a certain stage is reached. The current policy is that in principle the 20km radius around the power station is a no entry zone. Thus, detailed monitoring of the actual integral radiation dose has not yet been fully completed. Once the situation allows, it will be possible to engage in thorough monitoring of the various areas.

REPORTER: It would appear that it has been decided that Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuyama and Parliamentary Secretary Sonoda will provide part of the support structure for Minister for the Restoration from and Prevention of Nuclear Accident Hosono. These two people already have significant responsibilities to manage, so do you think that they will be able to provide adequate support?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As we are legally bound by the numbers of Ministers, Senior Vice Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, it has been necessary to request various people to provide support after giving due consideration to the structure that will work best. I am well aware that the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary is already very busy, but looking at it another way, the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary already has considerable experience concerning the nuclear accident and in that sense it is appropriate that he should provide support.

(Abridged)