Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:

(Abridged)

Q&As

(Abridged)

• Minister Furukawa's statement about energy policy

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding energy issues. When Minister Furukawa visited Fukushima yesterday, he stated that he would like to see the realization of a society without nuclear power plants. How is this comment from Minister Furukawa, who is also the chairperson of the Energy and Environment Council, likely to affect Government energy and environment discussions and their compilation as policy?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The minister said that he would like to see the realization of a society that does not depend on nuclear energy, where citizens need not worry. I gather that you are asking if the comment was an expression of the Government's intent to pursue zero nuclear dependency. This is not the case, what the minister meant was that he aspires to build a structure that will see an eventual reduction in nuclear power dependency and realize a society that does not rely on nuclear energy while duly considering the many differing thoughts and opinions on the issue. The foundation of the Government's future energy policy is to reduce our dependence on nuclear power. The direction toward reducing our dependence on nuclear power in the mid- to long-term is in line with governmental policy. This is how we understood the comments, but they were his comments after all. I would like to add, in regard to energy mix by 2030, that we have proposed three dependency options and are in the process of discussing these options through national debate. Moving forward, this national debate will undergo review, and as the Government, we would like to reach decision as soon as possible.

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