Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Related to the restarting of the Oi Nuclear Power Station, after receiving an explanation about stress tests from the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) today, the governors of Shiga and Kyoto Prefectures both expressed the opinion that they were opposed to the restarting of operations. I would like to know how the Government takes their opinion.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The explanation this time was made at the request of the governments of Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. Explanations of the facts to date were made at an official level by a Deputy Director-General in NISA by visiting the two prefectures. The four ministers concerned will be considering the matter in light of the opinions of both prefectural governments this time, while verifying the guarantee of safety needed for the restart of operations, and continuing to explain to municipal governments with concerns about the safety of nuclear power stations.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) some time ago announced a request to the national government asking for the injection of 1 trillion yen in capital from public funds. I would like to know how the Government will respond to this moving forward.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The 1 trillion yen is in stock or as capital right? And then there is also a request for funding for paying compensations, which I have heard has been put forward as well. TEPCO is still in the process of paying compensations. I have heard that the request was formulated between TEPCO and the Nuclear Damage Compensation Facilitation Corporation in the midst of discussions on the Comprehensive Special Business Plan. The Government will make a judgment in light of this on the matter moving forward.

(Abridged)