Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

Prime Minister's instructions given at the latest Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters meeting

(Abridged)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA:

(Abridged)

Following the Prime Minister's instructions given at yesterday's Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters meeting, I asked all relevant ministers to put into action the plan to strengthen organizational capacity in order to accelerate the development of facilities for decontamination and interim storage facilities during today's ministerial discussions.

Furthermore, in relation to the nuclear regulations, I asked all relevant ministers to put into action the plan to strengthen organizational capacity to ensure strict and appropriate assessment by the Nuclear Regulation Authority and enhancement of nuclear disaster prevention measures, among other matters.

Q&As

• The leakage of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
  

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REPORTER: It was revealed that it is estimated that approximately 300 tons of groundwater is being contaminated with radioactive substances each day and that this water is being released into the ocean at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Could you share with us if the Government has explained this to other nations? If not, does the Government intend to do so?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, please let me explain the situation concerning the 300 tons of contaminated water. It is estimated that approximately 100 tons of subterranean water is passing near wells on the ocean side in which contaminated water has been detected. We are currently attempting to prevent leakage of groundwater by improving soil condition through the injection of liquid glass.

As for the additional areas, such as the number 2 and 3 plants, I believe that the level of contamination is relatively low as they are further from the areas I just mentioned where contaminated water has been detected. 100 tons of water flows near the wells of each of the number 2 and 3 plants and at the moment we cannot deny the possibility that this water is also contaminated and therefore believe that it requires further investigation. In light of this, the meeting of the Committee on Countermeasures for Contaminated Water Treatment, which will be held today, will thoroughly discuss this matter and develop countermeasures.

We will naturally explain the situation to other countries as soon as we have definite results. We have always done so each time we make major decisions, therefore we will naturally continue to do the same on this occasion.

REPORTER: It appears to me that the roadmap to take the plants out of operation developed by the DPJ Government and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is losing traction. Therefore, given the virtual collapse of countermeasures against contaminated water by TEPCO, and taking the opportunity of the Government decision to use national funds to rectify this problem, I believe that the Abe Cabinet's revision of this roadmap will make it easier for the public to understand and easier for the public to give it support. Could you share with us your thoughts on this revision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, in June this year we revised the roadmap to accelerate our initiatives, which include initiatives to address the issue of contaminated water. Therefore, we believe that thoroughly following through on these revisions is most important.

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