Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

The leakage of contaminated water from TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
REPORTER: I understand that you spoke about contaminated water measures during this afternoon's Liaison Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties. Can you once again elaborate on these measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: With regard to the issue of contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the Government intends to come to the fore and do as much as possible to ensure that drastic reforms are implemented swiftly. Specifically, the Government is currently taking steps to utilize reserve funds, strengthen the arrangements, among other efforts. Also, the Government intends to convene a meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters as early as tomorrow and discuss the response policy of the Government.

REPORTER: If I may ask another question, what exactly will this response policy entail?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It will lay out how exactly the Government will address the issue of water leakage and contaminated water and other details.

REPORTER: How did the Government arrive at the decision to hold a meeting of the Response Headquarters at this timing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Ever since the Great East Japan Earthquake took place, the Government has responded to the issue of contaminated water based on the recognition that this issue should indeed be dealt with by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) under the existing framework. As this is the first time that the Government is coming to the fore to take specific actions in response to this issue under the Abe administration, we have decided to convene a meeting of the Response Headquarters to discuss these and other matters.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding contaminated water, I believe it has been nine months since the launch of the administration. Contaminated water has long remained an issue, and I believe one can look at this and say that the Government as a whole, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, was slow to respond. Can you explain the Government's response up to now and why at this timing the Government is setting out anew to respond to this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is true that there are a variety of ways of looking at this. Ever since the accident took place up to now, the recognition was that TEPCO will be the primary responder. And for the responses carried out by TEPCO, the Government has provided logistical support as much as possible and addressed contaminated water measures. However, at this point in time, the Government has judged that there are limits to TEPCO's incoherent responses and the Government needs to come to the fore and take prompt responses even if this entails the injection of reserve funds.

(Abridged)