Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding the infringement on - or disadvantage caused to - estates and other property of residents in areas surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) where evacuations are likely to continue for the long term, is it the Government's stance that TEPCO should take primary responsibility in compensating damages just like in other instances of damage compensation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I said this in this morning's press conference as well, but the Government has never made the decision or announcement that residents in any specific areas will not be able to return to their homes for the long-term. However, working under the awareness that such circumstances are possible, we will make plans for thorough monitoring and decontamination and carry out those plans. During that process we would like to consult with local residents while keeping an eye on the possibility of residents not being able to return home for the long-term. At this stage, we are working so that we can communicate to local residents of such areas as quickly as possible specifically about what scope of area will be handled in what way, or how long the evacuations will continue. We are also exerting efforts through decontamination and other means to ensuring that, in such a case, evacuations will be carried out for as small of an area and as short a time as possible. Therefore, I believe that your question relates to the next stage.

REPORTER: Do you mean that during the next stage, the normal compensation scheme of TEPCO will not cover the scope and that you are eyeing economic and financial assistance by the Government as well?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that ultimately TEPCO bears the primary liability for the nuclear power station accident and damages within the scope of legally sufficient cause. There is the possibility that the Government and TEPCO will discuss burden sharing within the scope of so-called unreal joint and several liability, however the responsibility to compensate damages within the scope of legally sufficient cause lies primarily with TEPCO.

REPORTER: On a different topic, concerning the tax increase for reconstruction, is there no change in the Government's policy to implement the tax increase as planned from next fiscal year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: That is not the Government's policy. Our policy is as shown in the Basic Policy on Reconstruction.

REPORTER: Can you be more specific?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: It is written within the Basic Policy on Reconstruction.

REPORTER: Minister of Finance Yoshihikio Noda has insinuated that the decision to implement a reconstruction tax increase will be up to the state of the economy. Is it possible that a tax increase will not be carried out depending on the state of the economy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: A decision and response will be made according to the Basic Policy.