Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan's energy policy

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding a different matter, I believe the address at the UN General Assembly touched briefly on nuclear policy. The Prime Minister stated that the Government aims to realize a society not dependant on nuclear power in the 2030s. The wording is slightly different from the wording which has been used in the context of the Innovative Strategy for Energy and the Environment, which has been to achieve zero operating nuclear power stations. May I ask what the reasons are for this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe the Prime Minister stated as follows. In light of the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station last year, the Government of Japan, aiming at realizing a society not dependent on nuclear power in the 2030s, while constantly reviewing and reexamining policies and carefully assessing future outlook including the international situation regarding energy, will mobilize all possible policy resources to achieve a good balance between the shift toward green energy and economic growth. No matter what words are used, I believe we have consistently stated that this is our purpose and intention. Therefore, I believe nothing has changed. I believe the differences in wording owe to the differences in the context that the statement was made.

(Abridged)