Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:

Q&As

• Restarting operations at nuclear power stations (Oi Nuclear Power Station)

REPORTER: A similar question was asked in the morning press conference, about the seven-point proposal submitted today by the governors of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures concerning the restarting of operations at nuclear power stations. What is the Government's view of this proposal?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that Kyoto and Shiga prefectures have jointly submitted a proposal concerning measures to gain public understanding on nuclear power generation policy, which has been delivered to the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. As the Government has already received requests from Kyoto and Shiga prefectures for explanations about the restarting of operations at the Unit 3 and 4 reactors of Oi Nuclear Power station, based on the proposal that has been submitted the Government will provide thorough explanations concerning its stance on the restarting of operations.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the schedule for restarting operations, the Government has described a schedule to date that would suggest the target for restarting operations is the summer. However, with opinion growing that the Government is not providing the full picture about restarting operations, could you tell us whether at the current point there are any plans to bring forward the schedule?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Energy and Environment Council represents an amalgamation of various meetings and councils. As it is incumbent on this council to ensure that work and considerations are carried out properly and are not hurried through without due deliberation, there is currently no intention to bring the schedule forward.

(Abridged)