Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Restarting operations of nuclear power stations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the restarting of nuclear power stations. I believe that the Nuclear Regulation Authority will commence safety assessments based on the safety standards. How much will the Government be involved in the process? Will the Government give the go ahead to restart a nuclear power station so long as the authority unconditionally deems it safe? Or, after the authority advises that a power plant is safe, will the Government then make another judgement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The policy is that nuclear power stations deemed to be safe will be utilized as important energy sources as stated in the Innovative Strategy for Energy and the Environment, although I can't remember the precise wording of this policy. This is a major policy. In that sense, the Government's stance is that nuclear power stations deemed safe by the Nuclear Regulation Authority should be put back into operation. However, I believe that the Government will still be responsible for providing thorough explanations to local municipalities.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question concerning the restarting of nuclear power stations. You just said that the Government will be responsible for providing explanations to local municipalities, is this now a prerequisite for restarting a nuclear power station?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In principle, prior to March 11 last year that was the case. By that I mean the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry would give approval to restart a nuclear power station after its safety had been confirmed. In those situations there had been neither the political intent nor the necessity with regard to explanations to local municipalities. However, since March 11 last year, out of necessity for a number of reasons, a ad-hoc ministerial meeting was held to discuss the restarting of Reactors No.3 and No.4 at the Oi Nuclear Power Station. However, now that the Nuclear Regulation Authority has been established, I believe that we will return the former process. However, I believe that of course from now on the Government should also take responsibility for providing thorough explanations.

What Minister Edano is saying is that in principle explanations will be given to the municipalities by the local power providers because this is how it was done in principle in the past. I believe that Mr. Edano's comments indicate that this will form the basic process. I believe that Mr. Edano's comments meant that since the Government has the policy of utilizing the nuclear power stations, as they are important power sources. If Government assistance is required to have this policy realized, the Government will provide support. I believe his comments meant that the Government will also provide explanations to the local municipalities and local residents.

REPORTER: I would like to ask for some clarification. Am I right to understand that in principle, ministerial meetings, like the one for the Oi Nuclear Power Station, will not be held?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: That kind of ministerial meeting was not the norm, and that particular ministerial meeting was an ad-hoc meeting held in response to public concern and other factors, including the role of the current Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, while the Nuclear Regulation Authority were not yet in place. However, now that the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority have been established, we will be returning a regular process under the policy confirmed by the Energy and the Environment Council that nuclear power stations deemed safe are to be utilized. The Government will approach the matter in line with these policies.

REPORTER: I believe that the consent of local municipalities was not sought in advance of making decisions to restart nuclear power stations prior to March 11.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the Secretariat of the Agency will make decisions in relation to a range of responsibilities related to nuclear safety, although I believe it has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, I believe the power providers that maintain the power stations will take the initiative in communicating with local municipalities. This will also include safety measures. If Government assistance is required, the Government will also provide an explanation in order to provide support.

REPORTER: I would like to once again ask whether or not the consent of local municipalities will be sought as it was sought from the Governor of Fukui Prefecture.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Of course local providers must seek the consent of local municipalities.

REPORTER: Are you then saying that the Government will not seek consent?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The current structure is that consent will not be sought by the Government.

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question on the same topic. I believe that when considering restarting the Oi Nuclear Power Station, the Government took responsibility for investigating energy supply and demand to assist in making decisions. Moving forward, if we are to go back to as it was, how will this be dealt with?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Nuclear Regulation Authority is responsible for assessing technical safety; therefore I believe that the Regulation Authority will not be handling the supply and demand analysis. The supply and demand issue will be dealt with by the Electricity Supply-Demand Verification Committee which is operated by the Government.