Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• A referendum in Lithuania whether to build a nuclear power plant

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In Lithuania, a referendum was conducted on whether to build a nuclear power plant. The result was, although still in the interim stage, 62:34, with the proportion of those against the construction significantly exceeding those in support of the construction. Hitachi, Ltd. is tapped to construct the plant, and this is expected to be the first time that a plant will be exported from Japan since the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). How does the Government view the referendum result?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand that the votes are now being counted. With regard to what you just stated, at the Japan-Lithuania Summit Meeting held in February of this year, Prime Minister Noda stated to Prime Minister Kubilius that Japan will share its experience and lessons from the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and cooperate to increase nuclear safety in Lithuania. I am aware about the participation of the Japanese company, and I would like to watch the progress of the talks between the company and Lithuania.

REPORTER: You say that you would like to watch the talks. However, from the perspective of the evaluation of Japanese technology, how does the Japanese Government feel about the fact that, amid the progress made in the intergovernmental talks, the people in Lithuania have expressed opposition in this way and it has been hard to obtain the support of the people?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe the referendum and the evaluation of Japanese technology are entirely unrelated. The referendum does not have any legal binding power. Therefore, as I said, I believe it all comes down to watching the progress of the talks between the Lithuanian Government and the Japanese company.

(Abridged)