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Reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake
January 7, 2013(AM)
[Provisional Translation]
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
Q&As
- The decontamination work in Fukushima
(Abridged)
REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the decontamination work of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Asahi Shimbun reported that shoddy work was being carried out, including the dumping of collected soil, branches and leaves, and other debris into nearby rivers and elsewhere, and I understand that the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) will start investigations. This work was kick-started as a major national project amounting to 650 billion yen. Can you please explain how the Government intends to tackle the fact that such an incident has occurred?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, this is absolutely impermissible, and it is extremely regrettable. As for the Government, MOE has immediately commenced investigations. This needs to be thoroughly investigated and rigorous measures must be taken. I would like to apologize also to the people of Japan. MOE is currently carefully conducting investigations and shedding light on the facts, and I would like to await its report.
(Abridged)
REPORTER: Returning to the subject of decontamination, some people have said that MOE alone does not have sufficient personnel or the capacity to take adequate responses. How do you intend to address these issues?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We recognize that reconstruction has been slow, including the decontamination. I believe this is why the Prime Minister appointed Mr. Nemoto, who has a good understanding of the local area, as the Minister for Reconstruction. This latest incident is absolutely impermissible. Therefore, the Prime Minister instructed that the Minister takes measures as quickly as possible, putting himself in the shoes of the local people. In fact, the Prime Minister strongly instructed all Cabinet members to take measures by way of supporting the people in the disaster areas, as if they are all Ministers for Reconstruction. It is our intention to accelerate the reconstruction process.
(Abridged)
