Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

JAPANESE

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

(Abridged)

Q&As

REPORTER: In today's Cabinet meeting, or possibly in ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, it has been reported that Prime Minister Noda has stated once again that "without the revival of Fukushima there can be no revival for Japan as a whole," following his visit to the prefecture yesterday, and has given instructions to the Cabinet ministers on a response regarding this issue. Could you tell us about the specific content of the Prime Minister's remarks?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At the end of ministerial discussions, the Prime Minister reported that yesterday he had visited the site of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and also Date City, and had met with the governor of Fukushima Prefecture, as well as engaging in an exchange of opinions with the mayors of the disaster-affected municipalities. The Prime Minister then reiterated that "without the revival of Fukushima there can be no revival for Japan as a whole." He gave instructions to the effect that yesterday he had conveyed to the people of Fukushima that the Government would make every effort to bring the accident to a conclusion and also to engage in decontamination of radioactive materials, and that he wished these efforts to remain uppermost in the minds of all Cabinet ministers.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In relation to the nuclear power station, I believe that the current administration will basically take over the policy of the previous administration concerning the interim storage facility. Can I confirm that under the Noda Administration the Government's policy of situating this interim facility in Fukushima Prefecture remains unchanged?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: When Prime Minister Kan visited Fukushima Prefecture on August 27, he indicated that the Government would have no other option but to request that the interim storage facility be located in Fukushima Prefecture and a request was made accordingly. At the current point there is no change to this concept, but given that its realization will require the understanding of the local people, the Government will continue to engage in considerations on this matter, with local consultations continuing to be led by Minister Hosono.

REPORTER: With regard to the scheduling of the two points of future specific considerations and consultations with the local residents, how do you specifically plan to engage in consultations and by when will these be implemented?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The basic concept of Prime Minister Noda is to provide detailed explanations and listen carefully to the direct opinions of local residents. This process is an open-ended one and the content of consultations and dialogue will be spearheaded by Minister Hosono.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday, on his visit to the affected areas the Prime Minister expressed a positive stance on the creation of a fund for the purpose of reconstruction. Please tell us about the concrete details of this fund, such as its scale and its specific purpose.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, I believe that this is a manifestation of the Prime Minister's intention to include such a fund in the third supplementary budget. Today, budget requests for the third supplementary budget are to be received from the ministries, and the fund is also expected to be considered along with the budget. There was even a request for this from the Policy Research Council Chairman of the New Komeito Party yesterday. In consideration of these developments - and I am sure that these matters will also arise in discussions between the ruling and opposition parties - we are now going to begin deliberating the specifics as things advance, such as how large the fund will be or whether a special measures act will be created.

REPORTER: In accordance with the removal of electricity restriction orders, the Government is to allow the restart of operations at nuclear power stations undergoing routine inspections if safety is confirmed. Please comment on how decisions are to be made and what standards nuclear power stations will operate on until the Nuclear Safety and Security Agency is established in April of next year.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: With regard to the issue of ensuring safety at nuclear power stations, in consideration of the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station we are carrying out a response by continuing to do what is possible without waiting for serious revisions in terms of resistance and safety regulation. We have implemented emergency safety measures and employed a safety assessment framework that references stress tests from Europe and with the views of the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC). We intend to continue to implement various response measures that are needed to improve safety, earn the trust of national citizens with regard to safety, and ensure the peace of mind of everyone until the Nuclear Safety and Security Agency - that is still a tentative name - is established in April of next year.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: This question concerns the disaster. Population outflow from affected areas is continuing, and in August the number of people that had evacuated outside of their prefecture of residence had reached 56,000. This also includes a large number of children. What is your understanding of this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have heard that it is likely that nearly 80,000 residents have left Fukushima Prefecture as a whole. The Government intends to provide the necessary care - or perhaps I should say response - to citizens where they have traveled. If we are talking about children, then this would be mainly through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and local boards of education.

(Abridged)