Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• A joint meeting of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting and the Energy and Environment Council
• The Prime Minister's official visit to Laos and attendance to the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit
• A Cabinet approval to invite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and Mrs. Singh to make a special visit to Japan

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved seven general measures as well as legislation proposals, a cabinet order, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Okada made a statement concerning the review of the distribution of work load of the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Nakatsuka made a statement concerning the release of a statement by the Minister of State for Financial Services.

Next, I would like to speak about a joint meeting of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting and the Energy and Environment Council that was held before the Cabinet meeting. In view of the findings of the verifications carried out by the Electricity Supply-Demand Verification Committee, the meeting decided on this winter's electricity supply-demand measures. This winter, electric power companies are forecasted to be able to secure a reserve margin (electricity availability relative to maximum demand) of more than the 3% necessary to ensure a stable supply of electricity. Nonetheless, recognizing that a power shortage could have an enormous impact on the lives of the people, particularly in areas serviced by Hokkaido Electric Power Company due to their cold climates, this winter's electricity supply-demand measures were decided as follows. First, all areas serviced by electric power companies, excluding Okinawa, will be requested to carry out general power saving efforts "not accompanied by a numerical target" on weekdays from December 3 to March 29. In order to give people an indication of how much electricity to save, the Government will disclose the percentages of power savings it expects will be achieved this winter through generally established efforts compared to two years ago. Furthermore, in the case of the risk of a drop-off in power sources, areas serviced by Hokkaido Electric Power Company will be requested to save power with a numerical target attached of "more than 7%" on weekdays from December 10 to March 8. In addition, the Government will take all possible measures for various scenarios, including that in which Hokkaido Electric Power Company faces a record high drop-off in power sources. Pursuant to "This Winter's Electricity Supply-Demand Measures" which were decided today, the Government will make every effort to meet this winter's electricity supply and demand with the cooperation of local governments. While this will cause continued inconvenience to the people, we would like to ask that they cooperate with the power saving efforts.

Next is about the overseas visit of Prime Minister Noda. Circumstances permitting, including the Diet, Prime Minister Noda is scheduled to make an official visit to Laos from Sunday, November 4, to Wednesday, November 7, to participate in the ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit and to hold meetings with the leaders of Laos. At this year's ASEM Summit, leaders from Asia and Europe will come together to discuss a variety of issues, including "economic and financial issues," "global issues," "regional issues, "people to people interaction," and "the future direction of ASEM." Arrangements are now being made on this occasion to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of ASEM members.

Next, I would like to announce that at today's Cabinet meeting, an approval was granted to invite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and Mrs. Singh to make a state visit to Japan from Thursday, November 15, to Sunday, November 18. Their visit to Japan on this milestone year of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India is expected to further deepen the "strategic and global partnership" between the two countries in a wide range of areas, including the economy and politics.

Q&As

• The electricity supply-demand measures
• An incident in Okinawa conducted by a US forces personnel

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the electricity supply-demand measures that were decided this morning. For the areas serviced by Hokkaido Electric Power Company, a numerical target of more than 7% has been set. However, given that electricity is used for purposes such as road heating and snow melting, making it more difficult to save electricity in the winter compared to the summer, the people in Hokkaido are voicing a great deal of concern. I believe the impact on the economy, etc. is another concern. How does the Government recognize these concerns?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In the areas serviced by Hokkaido Electric Power Company, the Government expects that established power saving efforts this winter will result in a 3.3% reduction in electricity use compared to FY2010. Therefore, the 7% power saving target that we are asking for is essentially - by subtracting 3.3% from it, an additional saving of 3.7%. This in and of itself will create a great deal of inconvenience. However, this target is established in order to avoid power failure at all costs and to secure a stable supply and demand of power in light of the characteristics inherent to Hokkaido. Thus, we would like to ask for the people's cooperation. Electricity consumption shares of a typical household in Hokkaido are around 19% lighting, around 15% household appliances, including electric kettle and rice cooker, and around 7% standby power. This share of standby power in Hokkaido seems to be slightly higher than in other regions. By giving heed to these respective electricity consumptions, we would like to ask the people to carry out reasonable power saving efforts by setting a 7% target. The priority above all is to avoid having a power failure.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to the target which has been established. This time, I believe no numerical target was set in particular for the areas serviced by Kansai Electric Power Company. However, right now, the Nuclear Regulation Authority is conducting studies of the active fault at Oi Nuclear Power Station, and there are uncertain elements as such. How were these factors incorporated into the considerations for establishing the measures?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe in the latest verifications, figures were also presented for scenarios in which Unit 3 and Unit 4 reactors of Oi Nuclear Power Station are shut down. In Central and West Japan, power interchange between electric power companies is possible across all areas. We assume that Kansai Electric Power Company receives power from other electric power companies until their reserve margins reach 5%. Even then, the reserve margin of Kansai Electric Power Company will be -9.1%. As a result of an outflow, the reserve margin of Central and West Japan will be +0.5%. This is what we anticipate will happen. That is, if Unit 3 and Unit 4 reactors of Oi Nuclear Power Station are shut down. In general terms, if significant changes are made to the outlook for this winter's supply-demand balance, then we will once again examine the supply-demand balance and review and determine additional necessary measures.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There was an incident in Okinawa in which a man, believed to be a United States (U.S.) forces personnel, after drinking alcohol, trespassed into a home, and assaulted a male junior high school student. What is your reaction to the fact that this incident occurred despite the implementation of the nighttime curfew? Have you received any reports from the U.S. on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As you noted, a nighttime curfew after 11 pm has been set. It is extremely regrettable that such an incident occurred despite this measure. The Government has already lodged a protest to the U.S. through diplomatic channels and other means. In the first report we received from the U.S., they expressed regret that such an incident occurred despite the nighttime curfew and stated that they will continue to strive to enforce discipline and prevent the reoccurrence of the incident. That was the first report we received from the U.S.

(Abridged)