Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different subject, yesterday the members of the Osaka Prefecture/City Joint Headquarters Energy Strategy Council visited the site of Oi Nuclear Power Station, after which it was announced that the members were uneasy with the power station being restarted with insufficient measures in place. What is the Government's reaction to this announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the press reports concerning the visit to the power station by members of the Osaka Prefecture/City Joint Headquarters Energy Strategy Council. As I have stated on a number of occasions to date, the process for the restarting of operations at nuclear power stations that have been suspended for regular inspections is as follows: the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) will confirm the results of the primary stress test conducted by the power station operator, the validity of which will be further verified and confirmed by the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC). A final comprehensive judgment on the restarting of operations will then be made at the political level, taking into account whether or not there is local understanding for the restarting of operations. I do not believe that there is any discrepancy or difference between what has been said within the Osaka Prefecture/City Joint Headquarters Energy Strategy Council and what has been stated by the Government to date. Indeed, as it is the case that Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, particularly Osaka City, are shareholders in the power company, it may be the case that a shareholder proposal will be made. I have not yet heard whether such a proposal has been made.

(Abridged)