Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The water leakage from the underground reservoir in the Fukushima Daiichi Power Station

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the water leak from the underground reservoir in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has made a significant downward revision to the leakage volume that TEPCO initially announced. There have been a number of issues with more and more people pointing out the deteriorating credibility of TEPCO. Could you share with us the Government's views on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, in relation to the contaminated water leakage, I am aware that this announcement was made by TEPCO. I believe that the actual leakage volume became apparent during the more thorough examination of the cause of the incident, and the Government is also currently conducting its own examination of the incident. In any case, the Government together with the Secretariat of the Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is attempting to develop more fundamental measures with the aim of reaching a conclusion by the end of May. The initial announcement by TEPCO was the maximum estimate leakage volume, but the actual volume was revealed to be less than this as further examinations were conducted. The Government is now examining the leak to determine if this is correct. The Government and the Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, as well as TEPCO, will work as one to address these issues.

(Abridged)