Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There are reports saying that the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is considering raising electricity prices. Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba has expressed discomfort with the idea. Do you believe that the public's understanding can be obtained regarding the electricity price hike while TEPCO is still in the midst of paying out compensations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: This matter will requires approval by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); it is METI that has jurisdiction over this matter. Therefore, under the auspices of METI, I believe careful considerations will be made moving forward. That said, I was in charge of the discussions on the Act to Establish Nuclear Damage Compensation Facilitation Corporation at the House of Representatives Special Committee on Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, and as someone who was involved in the deliberations, I believe I can report that the flow of the discussions of the ruling and opposition parties was that electricity prices cannot be increased easily.

REPORTER: Even if TEPCO were to request an increase in electricity prices, the Government will not easily approve the request. Is that your present understanding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I will leave that up to METI.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Starting tomorrow for three consecutive days, the Prime Minister will be in areas affected by disasters. Can you once again discuss the significance of this visit? Also, I believe Mr. Hirano has given a report today, but can you share what was discussed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Tomorrow, and skipping one day so two days after tomorrow, Prime Minister Noda will be visiting Fukushima and the Sanriku area in Miyagi and Iwate. In between, on September 9, Prime Minister Noda is scheduled to visit the three prefectures which were devastated by Typhoon No. 12. Although I am aware that Minister of State for Disaster Management Hirano gave a report a moment ago, I am not aware of the contents as I was not in attendance. I heard from Mr. Hirano briefly over the phone last evening that Nara and Wakayama have been hit hard by Typhoon No. 12.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the new construction of nuclear power stations which the Prime Minister indicated the difficulty a few days ago. At your press conference yesterday, you said that new construction refers to making arrangements from now on to secure the land and to newly construct a nuclear power station. Meanwhile, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hachiro said something to the effect that nuclear power stations cannot be constructed even in areas where nuclear power stations already exist and in the future there will be zero nuclear power stations. I have the impression that there isn't a consistent understanding of new construction within the Government.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: There were some decisions made by the Government at the meeting of the Energy and Environment Council at the end of July. The first was to review from scratch the existing Basic Plan on Energy to have 50% dependency on nuclear power stations by 2030. The next was to reduce the dependency on nuclear power stations. These were the decisions which were made. However, as to the specific roadmap, a thorough plan for both the short-term and mid- to long-term will be discussed and formulated at this Energy and Environment Council, bearing in mind the power supply and demand forecasts for some time to come. Therefore, now is not yet the time in which we can present a conclusion.

REPORTER: If I may confirm, according to what you said yesterday, the Oma nuclear power station, which is currently under construction, is not considered new construction. Is my understanding correct that the construction may be resumed eventually in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Of the 14 nuclear power stations planned to be constructed, three have already started construction or are close to completion. I believe the Energy and Environment Council will be discussing and formulating a vision on this matter as well.

(Abridged)