Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• The program for accelerating Japan's rebirth
• The 27th meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters
• General power saving efforts during this winter

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:

(Abridged)

Next, I would like to speak on the decisions made in relation to the program for accelerating Japan's rebirth. The Cabinet meeting approved the program for accelerating Japan's rebirth and the utilization of Government reserves for economic crisis response and regional revitalization. The program to accelerate Japan's rebirth is a stimulus package consisting of financial measures that are to be seamlessly implemented over three stages in addition to other non-financial measures. These measures are designed to fully address concerns over the outlook of the economy and to accelerate the initiatives implemented to swiftly break out of deflation and revitalize the economy. A decision to utilize Government reserves for economic crisis response and regional revitalization has been made to enable the acceleration of policies identified by the Comprehensive Strategy for the Rebirth of Japan in the form of a second round of measures, which follows the first round of the economic measures implemented on October 26. This decision also enables the implementation of the policies necessary for quick recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, and implementation of those policies related to the development of large-scale disaster prevention and mitigation. These measures are all designed to ensure the greatest result with limited financial resources. Approximately 1.3 trillion yen will be sourced from Government resources for the first round of economic measures and the second round of measures to be implemented this time around, contributing to a total of approximately 2 trillion yen. The overall stimulus, including financing provided to small and medium sized enterprises will total approximately five trillion yen and is expected to contribute approximately 0.4% to GDP. I understand that Minister Maehara and Minister Jojima, who are both responsible for this matter, will explain the details later.

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Next, I would like to speak on the 27th meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters held prior to the Cabinet meeting. Firstly, I reported on the changes to the members of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters following the amendment of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness. Following this, a decision to revise the evacuation zones and restricted areas in Okuma Town was made. These changes will come into effect at 12 am on Monday, December 10, with this schedule being chosen with consideration of the time required to inform residents. Minister Hirano discussed the issues concerning the reconstruction of areas of which long term evacuation is inevitable and discussed possible ways to address these issues. Minister Nagahama reported on the progress and strengthening of a scheme for driving decontamination efforts, special waste treatment and the establishment of interim storage facilities. The Chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, Shunichi Tanaka, reported on the designation of specified reactor facilities to be installed at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Finally, the Prime Minister stated that with the understanding that many people are still forced to live away from their homes after more than a year and eight months since the accident, we must work on the reconstruction of Fukushima without creating political vacuum.

I would also like to speak on efforts being made to reduce power consumption this winter. As per "This Winter's Electricity Supply-Demand Measures" decided at the joint meeting of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting and the Energy and Environment Council held on November 2, as of December 3, which is next Monday, we will commence general power saving efforts, without a specific numerical target, in all regions of Japan with the exception of Okinawa. As for areas serviced by Hokkaido Electric Power Company, from December 10, or the Monday after next, we will commence power saving efforts targeting reductions of at least 7%. I am aware that this request comes after previously asking citizens and industry to reduce consumption but we once again would appreciate your cooperation in voluntary power saving efforts during this winter. The Government is determined to ensure as much as possible that there is sufficient supply capacity and we will make every effort to deliver carefully thought-through responses as required at the appropriate times, including the provision of information related to power consumption reductions through cooperation with municipalities and power companies.

(Abridged)

Q&As

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