Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the joint meeting of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting and the Energy and Environment Council held at the Prime Minister's Office.

Discussion took place on the revision of measures regarding power supply and demand this summer.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said, "Early this morning, Unit 4 of Oi Nuclear Power Station began operating at full capacity. We would like to revise the electricity usage reduction goal accordingly, starting from tomorrow, July 26th.
To be more specific, we have been uniformly asking for a reduction of 10% or more compared to two years ago within the service area of the Kansai Electric Power Company. However, we would like to lower the goal to a reduction of 5% or more for cases where production activities are impeded. As for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and infants, it is sufficient if they make reasonable efforts to reduce electricity use while giving top priority to maintaining health, so as to prevent health damage, such as heat stroke. On the other hand, we would like to continuously call for efforts for a reduction of 10% compared to two years ago by other consumers.
We have been asking for electricity use reduction with numeric targets in order to accommodate electricity supply in a wide area. As for the service areas of Chubu, Hokuriku, and Chugoku Electric Power Companies, we would like to lift these numeric targets, and as for the service area of Shikoku Electric Power Company, the reduction goal will be lowered from 7% or more to 5% or more, compared to two years ago. I would like to once again express my gratitude for the efforts to reduce electricity usage by people within the service areas of these electric power companies.
Within the service area of the Kansai Electric Power Company, the risk of planned power outages has decreased considerably. Therefore, we have judged that the minimum preparations are sufficient also in the service area of the Kansai Electric Power Company, as in the service areas of Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu Electric Power Companies.
The government will continue with its utmost effort to take every measure to ensure the stable supply of electricity. I would like to continue to ask the people for their understanding of and cooperation with the reduction of electricity usage."