Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Senkaku Islands
• Japan's future energy policy

REPORTER: In a press conference following the Cabinet meeting today, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hata responded to a question concerning the development of a port of refuge on the Senkaku Islands, in which he noted that it would be necessary to take into comprehensive consideration the demand for such a port of refuge for vessels, in view of the climatic conditions in the surrounding oceans. Does this indicate that the Government considers that there is room to consider the development of such a port of refuge?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Government is endeavoring to gain a full picture of the specific contents of the proposal by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to purchase the islands, including statements made by Governor Ishihara. As I have always noted until now, from the perspective of continuing to maintain and manage the Senkaku Islands in a peaceful and stable manner the Government will maintain contact with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to consider matters comprehensively. I hear that the governor of Tokyo has also proposed a number of ideas. In that sense although I do not know the intentions of the comments made by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, my response is the same as it always is, namely that comprehensive considerations have been  made whilst maintaining contact with interested parties at various levels. There is nothing more I can say specifically.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a point of confirmation with regard to nuclear energy policy. In a press conference this morning Minister Edano indicated that the issue of achieving zero nuclear power stations in Japan, as proposed by the Energy and Environment Council, is an issue that could be overcome. Is this recognition one that is shared by the Government as a whole?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Based on the deliberations of the Energy and Environment Council, the Government has set out options for the nuclear power ratio in 2030. All of the options that have been set out present significant challenges. However, the various options are all feasible once these challenges are surmounted and therefore it is not the case that unrealizable options have been tabled. I believe that was the point that Minister Edano was making in his press conference.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Both Minister Edano and Minister Furukawa, who chairs the Energy and Environment Council, have repeatedly made strong statements concerning zero nuclear power. This leads people to assume that the Government as a whole is moving towards a policy of zero nuclear power by around 2030. What is your response to this observation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: To make that assumption at this point is somewhat surprising. The reality is that considerations are ongoing.

(Abridged)