Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The 5th meeting of the Ministerial Meeting on the Advancement of Disaster Waste Management
• The first meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Council
• The 15th meeting of the Emergency and Environment Council

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved one general measure, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the holding of the National Governors' Conference.

Next, I would like to speak about the fifth meeting of the Ministerial Meeting on the Advancement of Disaster Waste Management held before the Cabinet meeting. At the meeting, the Minister of the Environment reported on the status of the disaster waste management in the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima, and the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported on the initiatives toward promoting the reuse of disaster waste. Lastly, in light of these reports, Prime Minister Noda mentioned the following three items. Firstly, by the end of the year, the disposal capabilities of the disaster area must be further reinforced. With regard to the wide-area disposal programs currently being coordinated, the necessary pilot disposal activities should be carried out, and the wide-area disposal plans should be cemented. Secondly, the use of renewable materials in public construction works, including the construction of coastal levees and coastal disaster-prevention forests, should be steadily promoted to swiftly eliminate the temporary waste storage sites that are hindering reconstruction. In particular, the ministries and agencies concerned must promote proactive efforts, including incorporating into the contracts of Government-managed construction work the use of reusable materials, such as noncombustible mixtures and debris, which have not been reused actively. Thirdly, through these efforts, it is necessary to aim to complete the arrangements for the disposal of all disaster waste in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures by the end of FY2012. According to the Prime Minister's statements, the whole Government will continue to make every effort to dispose of disaster waste as quickly as possible. For details on the meeting, please direct your questions to the Ministry of the Environment.

My next announcement is about a meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Council, which was held today for the first time this fiscal year. This Council was newly established pursuant to the amendment of the Atomic Energy Basic Act which entered into force on September 19, in order to promote Government-wide disaster preparedness measures under normal circumstances. It is expected that the Council will function as a forum for relevant organizations to work together and coordinate with each other. Today, a report was presented on a manual that will serve as a framework for the Government's initiatives going forward, among other matters. Through the Council, the Government will continue to strive to enhance and bolster nuclear emergency preparedness measures with the cooperation of ministers.

Next is about the 15th meeting of the Energy and Environment Council, which was convened following the Cabinet meeting. The ministers concerned discussed and shared recognition about the ways to steadily implement the Innovative Strategy for Energy and the Environment compiled on September 14. The ministers concerned clarified the ministries responsible for the policies, and divided roles among the relevant ministries, determining which ministry will execute the policies where, by when, through what kind of specific measures, and with what kind of goals, as well as discussed the schedule going forward, among other matters. In order to steadily implement the strategy, the ministers concerned will continue to examine this matter and confirm the progress at certain milestones, while sharing their recognition with each other.

Q&As

• Minister of Justice Tanaka
• Press reports on China's large-scale military drills in the East China Sea
• The formulation of the new Basic Energy Plan
• Press reports on Prime Minister Singh of India's visit to Japan

REPORTER: It is reported that Minister of Justice Tanaka has solidified his intention to resign. Can you verify the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The facts are as follows. This morning, I received a call that Minister of Justice Tanaka was not at the Cabinet meeting today as he was feeling ill, and I understand he is now undergoing a checkup at a hospital in Tokyo. I have not heard anything about whether the Minister will leave or remain in his post.

REPORTER: Does that mean that you would like Mr. Tanaka to continue serving as Minister of Justice after his release from the hospital?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is natural that that should be the case, as the Minister has not said anything about whether he will leave or remain in his post.

REPORTER: With the Minister currently being ill, have you been notified as to what his illness is and the outlook on how long it will take for him to return to his duties?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: This is a matter which concerns the Minister's privacy. We were notified that tests will first be conducted.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Starting today, China is expected to carry out large-scale military drills in the East China Sea. China has stated that these activities are aimed at protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests. What does the Japanese Government think about these drills?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the reports that from today, October 19, China will carry out joint drills in the East China Sea between the Haijian vessels belonging to the State Oceanic Administration and the Yuzheng vessels belonging to the Bureau of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture. However, the Government is not aware of the details of the drills and would like to refrain from commenting. In any event, it remains unchanged that the Government will continue to closely monitor the movements of China.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the new Basic Energy Plan. Can you explain about the schedule for the formulation of the plan as well as your thoughts on how zero nuclear power will be treated in the plan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At today's meeting of the Energy and Environment Council, Minister Edano stated that the discussion at the meeting will be reported to the Comprehensive Resources and Energy Commission, and then specific steps will be examined for formulating the Basic Energy Plan. Regarding the overall contents of today's meeting of the Energy and Environment Council, Minister for National Policy Maehara is either giving a briefing or will be giving a briefing.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding a different matter, according to some reports, Prime Minister Singh of India will be visiting Japan in mid-November and meet with Prime Minister Noda. Can you verify the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: What I know is the extent of the news reports. I do not believe anything definite has been decided at this time. Perhaps arrangements are being made. I am not aware of the details on this.

(Abridged)