Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Monitoring of radioactive materials in the ocean areas including the seabed

REPORTER: With regard to reports that radioactive cesium found on the seabed of Tokyo Bay had increased by up to thirteen-fold over a seven-month period from August last year, what is your view on the extended impact of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident on marine ecosystems?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that you are referring to press reports about the surveys implemented by Kinki University. With regard to monitoring of radiation in ocean areas, based on the guidelines for ocean monitoring for fiscal 2012, which were formulated in accordance with the comprehensive monitoring plan, monitoring of ocean areas, including the seabed is being implemented by the following bodies: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Japan Coast Guard; Japan Meteorological Agency; Ministry of the Environment; Fukushima Prefecture; and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). In addition, with regard to marine produce sourced from the oceans, monitoring is being implemented by the Japan Fisheries Agency, in cooperation with local governments, including Fukushima Prefecture, as well as fishery unions and associations. Bio-indicators are also being monitored by the Ministry of the Environment, focusing on Fukushima Prefecture. In particular, from fiscal 2012 the monitoring of Tokyo Bay and other marine areas will be stepped up and strengthened, and monitoring will be implemented that seeks to contribute to research on the transference and concentration of radioactive materials in ocean areas and on the seabed. In cooperation with the organizations concerned, the Government seeks to steadily implement monitoring of ocean areas and the seabed, including Tokyo Bay. Depending on the results of the measurements taken, the frequency of monitoring will be revised accordingly and a response commensurate with the results will be taken. That is the Government's stance on this issue.

(Abridged)