Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

Restarting operations at nuclear power stations (Oi Nuclear Power Station)
The World Health Organization (WHO)'s estimate findings of radiation doses in and outside of Japan after the accident
REPORTER: During this morning's meeting (of the House of Representatives Special Committee on the Comprehensive Reform of Social Security and Taxation Systems), Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reaffirmed his resolve to restart operations at the nuclear power station (Oi Nuclear Power Station), stating that it was significant that the Oi Town Assembly agreed to restart operations and that the Government would like to make a decision at an appropriate time while listening carefully to the opinions of the prefecture. At this present stage, are any arrangements and so on being made regarding the timing of the four ministers' ministerial meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: (In response to questions asked at the morning meeting) I believe the Prime Minister stated that the Government recognizes that the Oi Town Assembly's agreement represents a critical decision, and that the Government would like to make an appropriate decision at an appropriate time regarding the resumption of Reactors No. 3 and 4 of Oi Nuclear Power Station. While naturally the decision will be made upon the holding of the four ministers' meeting, at this point in time the specific date of the meeting is not yet decided.

REPORTER: Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the estimate findings of radiation doses in and outside of Japan resulting from the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Can you first discuss your thoughts on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand that the radiation doses described in the WHO report are estimates assuming no protective measures were taken, including evacuation measures and food consumption restrictions. Therefore, my thoughts are that these radiation doses are higher than the actual radiation doses.

(Abridged)