Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the restarting of operations at Genkai Nuclear Power Station. This morning Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kaieda expressed his intention to implement what is termed a stress test, as an additional safety check before the restarting of operations at the power station, which is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance checks. If this additional stress test is implemented there is a possibility that the resumption of operations could be delayed, which in turn could have an impact on power supply when demand peaks during the summer months. How does the Government intend to respond to such concerns?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: With regard to the supply and demand of electric power, it is naturally the Government's responsibility to ensure a stable supply of power and also, particularly in view of the accident at Fukushima, to provide peace of mind for the public on safety concerns. This is not a question of sacrificing one thing in order to ensure another. It is the Government's responsibility to ensure and achieve both aims. Given this situation, I am aware that the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) is engaged in thorough safety checks at Genkai Nuclear Power Station. In addition, NISA is also considering the implementation of an evaluation similar to stress tests, that are implemented in European countries, as a means of boosting public confidence and peace of mind. This is what Ministers Kaieda and Hosono are currently considering.

REPORTER: From the perspective of safety and security, I believe that such stress tests will be even more extensive than usual. If this is the case, what will happen to the stable supply of electrical power?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: The Government is making its maximum efforts to ensure both safety and supply. It is the obligation of the Government to ensure both.

REPORTER: Governor Furukawa of Saga Prefecture requested a meeting with the Prime Minister concerning the restarting of operations at Genkai Nuclear Power Station. Some press reports have suggested that the Prime Minister is reluctant to have such a meeting. Does the Prime Minister wish to meet with the governor?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We have not yet reached a stage where the Prime Minister would be showing reluctance to meet, as a decision has not yet been reached. NISA and Minister Kaieda are making various efforts in the current process, and consideration is currently being given as to whether it would help to achieve the overall target and mission of this initiative or help to gain public understanding if the Prime Minister were to become directly involved in the process.

REPORTER: Local residents have indicated their desire for the Prime Minister to visit Saga Prefecture as a means of gaining local understanding. Is there a possibility that the Prime Minister will visit the prefecture?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am aware of such a desire on the part of local residents, and various considerations and coordination efforts are being implemented on a daily basis with regard to the ways and means of engaging in efforts to gain local understanding.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday the second supplementary budget was approved by the Cabinet. Looking at the budget items it appears that 200 million yen has been assigned as expenses for the Investigation and Verification Committee on the Accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company, while 1 billion yen has been allocated for the Investigation Committee on TEPCO's Management and Finances. Although I have not looked into the matter in detail it would seem to me that the allocation of 1 billion yen for expenses for the TEPCO's Investigation Committee is rather excessive. Has the budget really been appropriately allocated with a view to ensuring that there is no wasteful spending?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As I have said before, the activities of the Investigation and Verification Committee on the Accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company are important as a means of maintaining credibility and trust in the investigation process in collaboration and cooperation with international expertise and organizations as well as other countries. The Investigation Committee on TEPCO's Management and Finances requires input from people with expert opinions, and it is imperative to ensure that the investigation is not merely superficial in nature. These are both organizations that will engage in investigations on an independent basis, and the Government will not be giving instructions on what to investigate and how, particularly for the Investigation and Verification Committee on the Accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company. In addition, the expenses for these committees is something that will become clearer as we move forward. I believe that they will use only the funds that they require from the budget allocation.

REPORTER: So, do you believe that 1 billion yen is necessary for the Investigation Committee on TEPCO's Management and Finances?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Specialist accounting and other investigations by experts will require some degree of expense. Of course, it is not mandatory that the committee use all of the budget allocation. Also, while the Investigation and Verification Committee on the Accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company will continue to convene for a certain period, the activities of the Investigation Committee on TEPCO's Management and Finances will be completed in the short-term. Therefore, it was important to ensure that sufficient budgetary allocation was provided in the second supplementary budget to cover all contingencies, ensuring that appropriate investigations can be implemented. I believe that the budget was compiled with a view to various considerations such as the importance of measures to ensure that restructuring of TEPCO's finances can be implemented properly.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different matter, in a symposium yesterday Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara made a statement in which he indicated that bringing the 2020 Olympics to Tokyo would be a symbol of reconstruction and something that Tokyo should definitely aim to do. This sentiment was echoed by other governors from prefectures around Tokyo who were also at the same symposium. How does the Government view these comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: As it is city administrations that are involved in this process, if it were the case that a number of cities declared their desire to be Olympic host cities, it would be up to the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) to first select a candidate from among these cities, after which the central government would decide on what support it could provide for a bid. While it is important for the central government to make its position clear on a bid to host the Olympics, I think that it is a little too early for any such position to be stated.

(Abridged)