Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The drifting matters washed out by the Great East Japan Earthquake (the so-called tsunami debris)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: It has been reported that in relation to the debris that has washed ashore in foreign countries, the Japanese Government is currently considering covering the related cleanup cost. Could you tell us if this is the case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The drifting matters washed out by the Great East Japan Earthquake (the so-called tsunami debris) are of great concern to the Japanese Government. The Government has established the interagency council on comprehensive measures to address tsunami debris. The council has predicted the potential path of the debris and has also shared information and exchanged thoughts and opinions with relevant authorities in the United States and Canada. We are currently in the process of investigating possible options in coming to a decision, including goodwill cooperation, while duly considering the opinions of the United States and other countries. I have been informed that it is expected that large amounts of debris will start reaching the west coast of North America by fall this year; therefore we are now in the process of coming to an arrangement and hope to do so as early as possible.