Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Japanese

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Today, from 7pm, a joint meeting, which is scheduled to last 30 minutes, of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting chaired by myself and the Energy and Environment Council chaired by the Minister for National Policy will be held at the Large Meeting Room on the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office. At today's meeting, relevant ministers will hold discussions based on the report of this summer's electricity supply-demand forecast that was verified from a third-party perspective by the Electricity Supply-Demand Verification Committee, which has met six times since the end of last month. Discussions are also expected to start or take place on the basic guidelines for reviewing the electricity supply-demand measures for this summer.

Q&As

Oi Nuclear Power Station
REPORTER: At the end of last week, pertaining to the restarting of operations at Oi Nuclear Power Station, there were reports that the Government is considering the establishment of a new council for monitoring the safety regulations in Fukui Prefecture, plus Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. What is the status of the considerations? Also, can you once again explain what initiatives the Government is taking toward the restarting of operations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all, these are press reports. It is true that on May 10, when Senior Vice Minister (of Cabinet Office) Tadahiro Matsushita visited Governor (of Fukui Prefecture) Issei Nishikawa, the Governor requested that in the meantime until the Nuclear Regulatory Agency is set up as well, Prime Minister Noda lead the entire effort and instruct the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency or the Nuclear Safety Commission, and be fully prepared for an emergency and take charge of the matter. However, I am not aware of the fact that considerations are now being made to set up a council of some kind.