Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Just a little while ago the Director-General of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) held a press conference where he indicated that there was to be a personnel reshuffle. This actually marks the second press conference by the Director-General since the March 11 disaster - that means that he has only held two press conferences. Please share any thoughts you have on the paucity of these press conferences.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am sure that there are various views and opinions on when and how frequently the top of an organization should hold press conferences. According to my sources, I hear that the United States President only holds several press conferences per year. So, I think there are many opinions on what is most appropriate. Regarding the Cabinet Office, however, as the Chief Cabinet Secretary in charge of handling press conferences I can say that the current pace of twice per day is so incredibly frequent that it is beyond comparison with the ministers of other countries.

REPORTER: So you do not have anything specific to say about the particular lack of press conferences by the Director-General of NISA?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Within the organizations of NISA, I think that there are many views about how and what rank of staff should explain daily matters to reporters. Recently, there have been various developments related to NISA, so it is my impression that there are different opinions about whether to hold press conferences in response to those developments.