Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

(Abridged)

Q&As

• Demonstrations calling for the abolition of nuclear power generation and public hearings on energy policy
• Shika Nuclear Power Station in Ishikawa Prefecture (regarding the activity of the crushed zone under the station)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday there was a large demonstration in Tokyo, calling for the abolition of nuclear power generation. According to the organizers, approximately 170,000 people attended this event, and there were also people protesting against the Government's decision to restart operations at nuclear power stations. What is the administration's response to such opinions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Prime Minister also made a statement yesterday, and I have also previously stated here that the Government recognizes that this is a significant theme that could divide public opinion. The Government seeks to listen carefully to various opinions. However, with regard to the restarting of operations at the Unit 3 and 4 reactors of Oi Nuclear Power Station, the current situation is that the Government is advancing measures in line with the conclusion that was reached.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Public hearings on energy policy were convened over the weekend. How does the Government intend to draw on the opinions raised at yesterday's demonstration to establish the future energy policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, hearings are being held across Japan to listen to the peoples' opinions on the three options presented, although the choice will not necessarily be one of the three options (the three options are to reduce dependency on nuclear power to 0%, 15%, or 20-25%). We will of course also be receiving public comments. Furthermore, a new, deliberative poll (DP) will be conducted independently under the leadership of Professor Yasunori Sone of Keio University. While receiving a range of opinions through these and other means, the Government will ultimately make a responsible judgment, probably in August. I believe it will be this kind of a process.

REPORTER: Related to the previous question, at the hearings held in Nagoya and Sendai over the weekend, electric power company personnel were among the people to express their views. Some people questioned why these personnel were permitted to speak at the hearings. Does the Government intend to make any improvements to the way in which the hearings are conducted in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Participants were solicited from the general public and selected by a lottery. If, as a result, personnel from electric power companies expressed views on behalf of their organizations, then this is regrettable. On the other hand, even if such personnel participate in a private capacity - and I believe they have various views of their own, I think it would be quite difficult to completely rid the views of workers on site. The Government will review how to make improvements regarding the participation of employees and others from electric power companies and make an announcement at an early date.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to Shika Nuclear Power Station. According to some reports, an active fault is suspected to lie immediately below the nuclear power station. What is the Prime Minister's Office's current understanding of the situation? Also, if it turns out that there is an active fault, I believe this will have direct implications not only on the restart and so on, but also on crisis management due to the existence of spent nuclear fuel. How does the Government intend to address these issues?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Regarding Shika Nuclear Power Station in Ishikawa Prefecture, in the safety inspection conducted in 1988, when authorization was granted for its construction, direct observations conducted by digging a trench did not confirm displacement and morphing of geological layers of 120,000 to 130,000 years ago. Therefore, experts assessed that activity would not pose a problem - in the past. Taking into consideration new knowledge and other information obtained from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) is once again reviewing the evaluations of the current status of the crushed zones within the premises of other nuclear power stations in Japan, and holding discussions since the July 3 hearing to hear the opinions of experts. Regarding the activity of the crushed zone under Shika Nuclear Power Station, a NISA hearing will be convened this afternoon, at which the opinions of experts will once again be heard. Based on the opinions, if necessary I believe instructions will be given for gathering additional information or performing surveys.

(Abridged)