Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano visited Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and stated that the measures being taken in response to the incident were proceeding very systematically and that the outlook was bright. Could I ask for your views on these comments and also inquire whether the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with Director General Amano?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am not sure whether the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with Director General Amano. The evaluation provided by the Director General concerning the operations towards bringing the incident at the nuclear power station to a conclusion are something that the Government would like to take positively. While there have been minor troubles related to the operations, the overall process is moving steadily towards a conclusion. However, it is undoubtedly the case that the residents in the vicinity of the power station and the public in general have a strong desire to see the situation brought under control at a swifter pace and with greater certainty. The situation is still not one that permits us to relax our efforts and therefore response measures will continue to be implemented with a due sense of urgency.