Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan's response to tsunami debris due to the Great East Japan Earthquake (a floating dock washed ashore on Oregon State in the U.S.)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the floating dock that was washed ashore on Oregon State in the United States from Aomori Prefecture due to the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. I understand that the work to dismantle the dock, which started on August 1 in Oregon, will entail a significant cost and that the cost will impose a large burden to the local community. I would like to ask whether the Japanese Government is considering taking any sort of measures, including sharing some of the cost burden?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand that Oregon authorities are now working to dispose the floating dock - quite a large one - which has drifted ashore. A variety of debris has washed out from Japan due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is, naturally, a matter Japan needs to be concerned about. Regarding how Japan should cooperate or assist with the tsunami debris removal and other work, a variety of considerations are already ongoing at the Cabinet Secretariat's Headquarters for Ocean Policy Secretariat. Since this issue cuts across various ministries, under the Secretariat's leadership, relevant ministries and agencies have cooperated by establishing a council among them on the measures to deal with the tsunami debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Government believes this is a matter which not only concerns the single case in Oregon, but one that will need to be continually dealt with appropriately based on adequate considerations, while fully bearing in mind the wishes of the United States.