Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There have been some press reports that the Oi Nuclear Power Station will resume operations in April. What are the facts behind these press reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: These reports are more than a little hasty, because, as you know, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) has yet to come to a conclusion. Also, as you know, the conclusion of NISA will need to be verified by the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC), and therefore the press reports are getting ahead of themselves somewhat. Nothing can be taken for granted or predicted about the restarting of the power station at this point. I believe you are referring specifically to Units 3 and 4 of Oi Nuclear Power Station and the results of the stress test evaluation for these units have yet to be confirmed by NISA. Therefore no specific goals have been set, nor are coordination efforts underway towards a specific restart date.

(Abridged)