Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Nuclear Regulation Authority's dispersement simulation of radioactive substances from nuclear reactors, and the development of local disaster response plans

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today the Nuclear Regulation Authority announced their forecasts for the dispersement of radioactive substances from nuclear reactors, should a disaster on the scale of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station occur at another power station. I believe that this will influence local municipality disaster response planning. How is the Government planning to approach disaster response planning following this announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have been informed that the forecast released by the Authority today is a dispersement simulation of radioactive substances from nuclear reactors based on various assumptions. I believe that this is not a definite forecast, but I understand that this information has been provided to be used by prefecture or local governments as one of the basic reference data points for local disaster response planning, including determining areas required to develop specific disaster response plans. As for how the Government is planning to approach this matter, because prefecture and local governments will be responsible for developing specific disaster response plans in line with the Nuclear Disaster Countermeasures Guidelines currently being formulated by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, the Government would like to provide advice and assistance such as creating a manual in order to ensure plan development proceeds smoothly.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the same topic. I understand that the projections released today are simulations based on a number of assumptions. The impact of dispersement of radioactive substances is predicted to be extensive, and it is anticipated that disaster response planning will be difficult. On a personal level, what were your thoughts when looking at these forecasts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Different prefectures have different characteristics. In Fukushima, for example, the wind must be factored into estimates; I believe that an extensive area may be affected due to the north-west wind. I believe that the forecasts may be useful as a reference along with the other factors as I just mentioned when determining the scope of measures. However, I understand that this does not mean that those areas are now obliged to develop their own disaster response plan. I understand that the forecasts were provided to be used as a basic reference.