Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Japanese

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• Revising power saving targets along with the restart of operation at Oi Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 reactor

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In the early morning today, the Unit 3 reactor of Oi Nuclear Power Station reached constant operation at rated thermal output. As such, pursuant to the decision reached at the joint meeting of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting and the Energy and Environment Council on June 22, power saving targetswill be revised from tomorrow, July 10. The power saving targets for the service area of Kansai Electric Power Company will be changed from the current goal of more than 15% compared to the previous year to more than 10%. Also, regarding the power saving targets for the service areas of the three electric power companies of Chubu, Hokuriku, and Chugoku, which have been set at more than 5% compared to the previous year, the targets for Chubu and Hokuriku will be changed to more than 4% and the target for Chugoku will be changed to more than 3% - equivalent to the amounts of electricity which can be saved reasonably (with minimal stress and low cost or with investment recovery). When the restarting of the Unit 4 reactor of Oi Nuclear Power Station becomes certain, the Government will once again decide and announce the revised power saving targets. Our outlook at this time (if the Unit 4 reactor is restarted) is that, due to the electricity provided by electric power companies other than Kansai, the power saving request which is made to the service areas of the Chubu, Hokuriku, and Chugoku electric power companies will be able to switch from the current request that is accompanied with a numerical target, to a general request that will not be accompanied with a numerical target. In addition, regarding the power saving target for the service area of Shikoku Electric Power Company, we believe the target can be lowered from the current target of more than 7% compared to the previous year to more than 5%. Regarding the power saving target of Kansai Electric Power Company, the Government will review and decide the goal upon once again hearing the opinions of the relevant stakeholders. At this time, work is under way to restart the Unit 4 reactor (of Oi Nuclear Power Station). Of course, there is a possibility that the process will be delayed due to troubles and other problems along the way. Accordingly, we ask that everyone uphold the power saving targets which will be decided tomorrow for some time to come while remaining vigilant.

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)