Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• A re-investigation on the possibility of an active fault at Oi Nuclear Power Station

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Concerning the Unit 3 and 4 reactors of Oi Nuclear Power Station, based on the possibility of an active fault, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) has requested Kansai Electric Power Company to conduct a re-investigation. There are reports that a Democratic Party of Japan project team has compiled an emergency statement urging the Government itself to carry out an emergency investigation. Can you share your views on the contents of the statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe the project team issued the statement on July 26. Regarding the investigation of the crushed zone at Oi Nuclear Power Station, it was decided at a NISA hearing consisting of experts that the necessity of the investigation and the validity of the investigation plan would be thoroughly verified, and when the investigation is actually conducted, the investigation methodology would be checked with the presence of personnel and experts. As such, it was determined that experts would conduct objective and scientific checks without leaving the investigation up to the electric power operator. I believe the statement is in line with this.

(Abridged)