Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to Fukushima. In last Friday's press conference, the Prime Minister used the phrasing "the nuclear power station accident has been brought to a conclusion" in making his declaration. This has elicited the discontent of the Governor of Fukushima. How does the Government view this matter, and how does it intend to address it moving forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe you have all thoroughly read the Prime Minister's press conference from last week. The Prime Minister is referring to the conclusion of the power station accident itself and the completion of Step 2. He stated that this does not mean that the struggle to tackle the nuclear accident is over, and that moving forward, the Government will make every effort until the very end of the decommissioning process for the reactors, all the while taking every precaution to ensure safety. The Prime Minister also stated that it is important that we engage in committed actions relating to the three challenges of decontamination operations, health management, and compensation payments to ensure that the residents who have been obliged to evacuate are able to return to their homes and that an environment is created as soon as possible that will allow residents to rebuild their lives as they used to be. While I do not know whether the Governor was able to carefully read the entire press conference, I believe different people will have different interpretations of a single word.

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REPORTER: I believe raising funds to cover the decontamination costs will be the biggest challenge for the administration. What are your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: We have conducted model programs and other initiatives. With the completion of Step 2, the evacuation zoning will also be reviewed. This will be done in close consultation with the local communities. Indeed, this will require priorities and a roadmap to be laid out, and these will be planned from now on. Our posture remains unchanged that the necessary amounts will be fully set aside. A large amount of 1 trillion yen has been allocated for the initial first and second stages. I believe it is important that the decontamination operations are carried out systematically by carefully creating a roadmap and in close consultation with the community members.

(Abridged)