Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question concerns the nuclear accident. Separate from the investigation committees of the Government and the Diet, there are moves to conduct an independent investigation and verification of the accident led by scientists from the private sector, such as Mr. Kitazawa, former President of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). I understand that this initiative is being launched based on the belief that the world will not easily be convinced with only the information from the Government. What are the Government's thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As you know, as for the Government's third-party investigation and verification of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the Investigation Committee on the Accident is now carrying out an investigation under the leadership of Dr. Hatamura, Chairperson of the Committee. Also, it is the Government's stance to provide maximum cooperation also for the Investigation Committee on the Accident, which was recently established at the Diet. I am not very familiar with what was just established by the private sector. However, in any case, I believe generally speaking the Government must properly fulfill its variety of responsibilities to offer the necessary explanations to people in the private sector.

(Abridged)