Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue of contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask two questions regarding the issue of contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. First, I would like to ask whether the Government is making arrangements and considerations with the intention of using Government funds for the countermeasures. My other question is, will Prime Minister Abe, by the end of today, be giving instructions to strengthen these countermeasures? If you can please respond to these two questions.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government considers that dealing with the contaminated water issue is critically important in and of itself, and also in terms of proceeding with the decommissioning work. At the end of May, the Government decided, in order to reduce the amount of groundwater flowing into the nuclear reactor building and to prevent the accumulated contaminated water from flowing out, to intercept the water by using frozen soil, by freezing the soil around the building. There is no precedent in the world to create a water-shielding wall with frozen soil, by freezing the soil, on such a large scale. To install this, the Government believes that it must take a step forward to promote or support its realization. Regarding budget matters, I understand that they are currently under review at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. As for the Prime Minister, at today's meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters, he is expected to instruct the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to take measures swiftly with regard to the contaminated water.

REPORTER: What is your assessment of the measures that Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has taken so far in response to the contaminated water issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe TEPCO is making every effort. However, it is a fact that from the perspective of the people in the affected areas and the people of Japan, there are elements of concern with far little progress being made. Therefore, as I stated earlier, the Government believes that it must take a step forward to support the realization of a water-shielding wall around the nuclear reactor building.

(Abridged)