Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• The holding of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:

(Abridged)

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries made a statement concerning the promotion of the consumption of food ingredients from earthquake affected areas, including rice from Fukushima, at the cafeterias of ministerial and agency offices.

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I would also like to speak about the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting. This year, the Government has asked citizens to make efforts in reducing power consumption to ensure steady electricity supply. As a result, we have been able to reach the end of the energy-saving period without electricity shortages. I would once again like to thank all citizens for their cooperation. In April this year, the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting was established in order to assess electricity supply and demand in a fair and transparent manner. As Chief Cabinet Secretary, I chair these meetings. Furthermore, the Energy and Environment Council has been established with the Minister for National Policy serving as chairperson, under which the Electricity Supply-Demand Verification Committee convenes. The Committee meetings discussed wide-ranging energy issues, including this summer's electricity supply-demand forecasts. Moving forward, these committees will review this summer's electricity supply and demand. Then, beginning Friday, October 12, the Electricity Supply-Demand Verification Committee chaired by Senior Vice Minister of Cabinet Office Shinkun Haku will once again convene to discuss this winter's supply-demand forecasts. The committee is hoping to come to a conclusion by the end of the month, and then the Government would like to swiftly finalize this winter's electricity supply-demand measures in line with committee's decisions.

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Q&As

• The promotion of the consumption of food ingredients from earthquake affected areas at the cafeterias of government offices
• The Prime Minister's visit to Fukushima Prefecture

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REPORTER: Regarding your statement earlier about using food ingredients from the earthquake affected areas, such as rice from Fukushima Prefecture, at cafeterias in Kasumigaseki [where many government offices are located], would you happen to know when this will be starting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: There was actually already a statement made on this program at the Cabinet meeting on September 14, and I understand that this program is now being partially implemented to a significant extent. Today, the Prime Minister stated that this program will be implemented not only at the ministries but extended also to its branches. This program is already being partially implemented to a significant extent. Here at the Prime Minister's Office, we have been using Fukushima rice and various products from the earthquake affected areas from a while ago as you are aware in the sense of local production for local consumption.

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REPORTER: Prime Minister Noda met the other day with the workers who responded on-site immediately after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). What was the intent behind meeting with the workers at this timing? That is my first question. Also, time and time again problems are raised regarding TEPCO's insufficient system of managing its workers. What are the opinions of the Government on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Prime Minister visited Fukushima Prefecture two days ago. The Prime Minister went to confirm the progress of the handling of the nuclear accident, or with a view to further accelerating the handling of the accident. At J-Village, the Prime Minister heard from the TEPCO workers, who worked on-site initially after the accident, about what when on at the time, and at the anti-earthquake building, also gave words of encouragement to the workers who are now working on-site. With regard to your latter question, the Prime Minister met with the workers in hopes that, recognizing the critical challenge to properly manage the working conditions of the workers, diligent efforts will be made to ensure that this is done in order to appropriately move forward with the handling of the accident.

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