Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Changing the subject, on his visit to Japan, Dr. John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology of the United States, indicated that the Obama administration has no intention of considering relinquishing its use of nuclear power generation. Were Japan's ideas related to future nuclear power use, including the "no nuclear" policy, explained to Dr. Holdren?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It was also an issue in the Diet today, but the media and others are frequently throwing around the phrase "no nuclear", however the definition of this phrase likely differs completely depending on the speaker. Therefore, I honestly have no way of answering questions that use this "no nuclear" phrasing. Furthermore, I do not receive reports about what is specifically discussed in diplomatic meetings, but since the meeting was with the United States I would of course assume that they exchanged various opinions in light of the March 11 disaster and nuclear accident. In addition, I am sure that the United States is interested in Japan's energy policy, so if Dr. Holdren asked about Japan's policy of gradually reducing reliance on nuclear power generation, or about revising our basic energy policy from scratch, I am sure that they discussed those issues as well. Nevertheless, I have not received a specific report.

REPORTER: Did Dr. Holdren meet with Prime Minister Kan on his visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have not received such a report.

(Abridged)