Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The upcoming G8 Summit (possible holding of a Japan-Russia bilateral meeting in relation to the Northern Territories issue)
• The current Special Business Plan of TEPCO (with a provisional plan to restart operations at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the G8 Summit, it appears that President Putin of Russia has indicated to President Obama of the United States that he will not be attending the summit. Had President Putin been attending the summit and a Japan-Russia bilateral summit meeting were to have been held, I believe that it would have been a significant meeting. However, this bilateral summit will now be postponed. What is the Government's reaction to this postponement and what impact do you think it will have on achieving a breakthrough with regard to the issue of the Northern Territories?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware that President Putin has indicated that he will not be attending the G8 Summit as he is in the process of forming a new Cabinet. However, coordinations are underway concerning the holding of bilateral meetings at the G8 Summit, and I cannot say anything with certainty at this point. The issue of the Northern Territories is slightly different in that it is an issue that has been ongoing for many years and by its very nature there are always consultations continuing through various channels.

REPORTER: The current Special Business Plan of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is based on the assumption that Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station will come back online from April 2013 as part of measures to improve revenue streams. However, the cautious stance by Niigata Prefecture to the restarting of operations remains unchanged from before, and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Edano has also stated that the plan itself is a preliminary one. There are those who believe that the plan is therefore not achievable. Does the Government believe that this plan, which it has approved, is an achievable one?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: (The Special Business Plan of TEPCO was received and approved yesterday. This was announced by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Edano after the meeting yesterday.) In the approved plan it is stated that from April 2013 there is a provisional plan to restart operations gradually at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station. This has been incorporated into the plan because in the event that the plan was compiled based on the assumption that Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station would remain in shut down, it would entail significant further rises in power tariffs. Naturally the restarting of operations is based on the confirmation procedures that have been in place to date, namely assuring the safety of the power station and gaining the understanding of local residents. TEPCO also understands that these conditions are absolutely prerequisite to restarting operations and has compiled its revenue plan based on the tentative assumption that operations at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station will be restarted. The Government approved the plan based on this understanding. The fact that there was a lack of accuracy on the part of TEPCO on some points in the compilation and confirmation process of the primary assessment report that was submitted recently relating to the stress test is something that should be deeply reflected on and further efforts should be made to ensure safety and gain the understanding of local residents. As for what will happen after April 2013, that is something I cannot predict or say with any certainty at this point.

(Abridged)