Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The wide-area disposal of debris from disaster affected regions (acceptance by Kitakyushu City)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the disposal of debris created by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Today the mayor of Kitakyushu City, Mr. Kenji Kitahashi, announced that Kitakyushu City will accept debris from the disaster-affected areas for disposal, the first local government in Western Japan to do so. What is the response of the Government to this announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to express my respect and appreciation to Mayor Kitahashi and the people of Kitakyushu City for arriving at this decision following due consideration and probably a process of trial and error too. I believe that other local governments are engaged in similar considerations and I hope that the number of municipalities that accept debris will continue to increase.

REPORTER: Kitakyushu City has strong concerns about the impact of reputational damages relating to the disposal of debris, including the self-imposed restraint of the organization of an elementary school visit by pupils from Matsuyama City [, Ehime Prefecture]. What responses to such reputational damages is the Government considering at the current point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: With regard to the wide-area disposal of debris, a ministerial meeting has been created, with the Prime Minister leading efforts to request cooperation across the country. In addition, the Ministry of the Environment is engaging in consultations to seek understanding in various regions. Given the fact that the wide-area disposal is not yet running at 100%, the Government's position is to seek nationwide understanding concerning disposal and request cooperation for the wide-area disposal of debris from Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in particular.

(Abridged)