Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My questions concerns financial sources for reconstruction. The revised Government-ruling parties' agreement states that additional 2 trillion yen of non-tax revenues will be secured with the sale of Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) shares and other assets. The Basic Reconstruction Act states that the "means of reimbursing the reconstruction bonds shall be clarified." If the Government and the ruling parties are confident that this can truly be achieved, they should consider this as part of the "means" for reimbursing the reconstruction bonds, and they should submit legislation for a 9.2 trillion yen tax increase.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: No, that's not right - an 11.2 trillion yen tax increase over five years must be fixed; otherwise we will not be able to decide on the items affected by the tax increase and the implementation period. So the total should be fixed. Meanwhile, we must make sure to keep the reimbursement period at 10 years, taking into account the additional 2 trillion yen of non-tax revenues. How this should be stated will be considered as we draft legislation going forward. That is what has been agreed upon between the Government and the ruling parties, including the People's New Party.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Changing the subject, the designation of the regulations establishing the Evacuation-Prepared Areas in Case of Emergency around TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station will be lifted tomorrow. I have interviewed the residents of this area and they are concerned about what should be done to decontaminate it. Some schools within the area are aiming to resume classes in early October, but many other schools do not even have an idea about when they can resume classes. Also, some hospitals are facing such a shortage of physicians and nurses that they are forced to turn away patients. What is the Government's plan concerning the issues surrounding this area, including those relating to decontamination, schools, and hospitals?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe the designation of the Evacuation-Prepared Areas in Case of Emergency will be lifted at the meeting scheduled tomorrow. As you have pointed out, and as everyone must be aware, the return of residents to the area calls for work toward the reopening of schools, hospitals, and other public service facilities such as long-term care centers. It also calls for efforts toward job creation and the major issues are decontamination and removal of rubble. Each municipality faces its own challenges. We will respect the judgment of each municipality with regard to the specific time at which residents are allowed to return to their homes. The issues you mentioned are marked in the local reconstruction plans submitted by each municipality as issues of vital importance that must be resolved so that residents can return to their homes. The Government will thoroughly respect requests related to these issues and extend as much support as possible for their realization in order to promote the steady implementation of reconstruction plans and the smooth return of residents.

(Abridged)