Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the wide-area disposal of the debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prefectures, including Hokkaido, Osaka, and Shizuoka, are to establish their own radiation safety standards for accepting the debris. These standards are more stringent than the Government's, such as up to 100Bq (per kilogram). While this is being permitted as a way to deal with the doubts that many municipalities have toward the Government's standard, what are the Government's thoughts on such independent standards established by local governments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, we believe that the Government's standard provides for sufficient safety. However, since we are in the position of asking the local governments for their cooperation, we will not be making objections even if some local governments set out more cautious standards. We are in the position of leaving the decision up to the respective local governments and asking for their cooperation.

REPORTER: I have a related question. This would mean that some communities will have two sets of standards as a result. Do you judge that this is fine?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Government's standard sets forth 240Bq. The Government has made it clear that while there is a slight range depending on the material, we have been clearly stating that our standard is 240Bq.