Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will co-host an international conference related to nuclear safety that is scheduled to take place from the December 15 to 17 in Fukushima. What are the Government's plans for the main presentations at the conference?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: For three days beginning this Saturday, the Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety will be held in Fukushima. Let me first explain the objectives of the event. It is hoped that this conference for ministers and specialists will provide an opportunity for Japan to fulfill the responsibility it has to give an account of events, provide a chance for Japan to contribute to the strengthening of international nuclear safety, and allow Japan to make this stance known by sharing with the international community our findings and lessons learned from the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Additionally, we would like to take this opportunity to demonstrate to the international community that Fukushima is overcoming the nuclear disaster and continues to make steady progress toward reconstruction. We are also hoping that this will serve as a momentum builder to strengthen cooperation among the Government, Fukushima Prefecture and the IAEA in our decontamination and health management efforts. You asked who the main speakers will be but, for now, I can only confirm that we are making final arrangements while considering various domestic and international situations.

REPORTER: I would like to confirm something. Considering the scale of the international conference, am I right to understand that the Government is planning a main presentation by either the Prime Minister or another minister?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The chairperson from Japan is to be Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba. However, as I stated earlier, as of now I cannot tell you anything with certainty due to various ongoing situations.

(Abridged)