Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the case in which concrete contaminated with radioactive materials was used in the construction of a new condominium in Nihonmatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture, it would appear that the same materials have also been used in construction in several hundred locations. How does the Government view the current situation and what response will you be making?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that the press reports have referred to crushed rock sourced from Namie Town, where relatively high concentrations of radiation have been recorded, which has been utilized in aggregate building blocks. I have also heard that the volumes of radiation measured do not exceed an annual dosage of 20 mSv, which is the level set for the issuance of evacuation order. The Government is seeking to implement a survey of quarries in the vicinity of the Deliberate Evacuation Area and other areas, including efforts to assess how many other similar cases there may be.

(Abridged)