Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Prime Minister's meeting with anti-nuclear organizations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question concerns the talks held earlier between anti-nuclear organizations and the Prime Minister. It seemed that time was limited in terms of being able to conduct extensive exchanges. Are there plans to hold such talks again in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, I understand that in having an opportunity to meet with the organizations, the Government carefully explained its views. Also, I believe there were quite a large number of organizations participating. Each organization, I think, submitted documents and articulated its opinions. I believe this is the end of the discussions with the organizations of this single alliance.

REPORTER: Related to this, with regard to the energy policy, the Government to date presented three options for the nuclear power ratio in 2030. After hearing the opinions of the anti-nuclear organizations or the business community, do you intend to review the 2030 timing or the percentages identified in the three options or to think about other options?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Although three options were presented for the national debates, this was not meant to mean that only three options existed. As there are a variety of views regarding this issue, key materials are being collected gradually for the Government to make a responsible decision on Japan's future energy policy, while making a holistic evaluation both qualitatively and quantitatively through the national debates, the presentation made today by professors who carried out and managed the deliberative poll (DP), and future meetings among experts to analyze and verify the findings.