Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• A meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Council for Contaminated Water and Decommissioning Issues

Today a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Council for Contaminated Water and Decommissioning Issues was held. This meeting was established in accordance with the basic policy for contaminated water countermeasures that was compiled by the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters on September 3, with the aim of bringing together the combined efforts of the Government to implement with certainty more dynamic countermeasures. At the first meeting today, in terms of specific measures based on the recently established basic policy, the meeting received a report from the On-site Coordination Meeting for Contaminated Water Countermeasures, which was held on site yesterday, and also received a report about the establishment of a cross-governmental Contaminated Water and Decommissioning Issues Team. In addition, the meeting discussed specific actions as response measures to deal with the issues relating to decommissioning and contaminated water. The meeting also confirmed response measures to the contaminated water issue, including measures to utilize knowledge from Japan and overseas, preventive and multi-layered response measures, efforts to ensure that the response is focused at the site itself, and measures to strengthen international information provision. For further details, please direct your questions to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Q&As

• The contaminated water issue
• The incident involving Japanese women in Cappadocia in Turkey
• Japan-China relations (including the Senkaku Islands)
• A ministerial meeting concerning Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games
• The Situation in Syria
• The postponement of the Cabinet reshuffle
• The consumption tax

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the contaminated water issue. In his recent presentation as part of the bid for the 2020 Olympic Games, Prime Minister Abe stated that the impact of the contaminated water was completely blocked within the grounds of the power station and you have also made similar statements. However the construction of the silt fence around the power station has gaps, like a curtain, and in a simulation that was announced by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in August, it was noted that during the course of one day approximately 50 percent of the water within the area of the fence is replaced by water from outside the fence. In that sense the expression that the area within the power station is totally blocked off is different to what TEPCO is saying and is highly likely to cause misunderstanding. What is your view?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister did indeed state that the impact of the contaminated water is being completely blocked. The Government is engaged in monitoring of the seas close to Japan's shoreline and waters in the vicinity to check the concentration of radioactive materials. The results of this monitoring have shown that the impact of the contaminated water is limited to an area of less than 0.3 square kilometers within the harbor of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. In addition, the concentrations of radioactive materials even within the harbor are below set standard values. Furthermore, the results of monitoring of the seas in the vicinity of Japan have shown that over a wide area from the Pacific coast of Miyagi Prefecture down to Chiba Prefecture, including Fukushima Prefecture, concentrations of radioactive cesium are at most one five-hundredth of the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality guidelines and therefore are extremely low and present no problem whatsoever. It was in view of this situation that the Prime Minister stated that the impact of the contaminated water is being completely blocked.

REPORTER: I have an additional question. If we look at the results we can see that it is a fact that concentration levels are very low. However, with regard to the question of whether this is due to a process where the contaminated water is being blocked, or whether it is simply due to a process where it is being diluted by replacement of large quantities of ocean water from outside the fence, these are completely different processes. If the explanation that was provided is different to the reality then it loses all credibility and serves only to create misunderstanding and suspicion. What are your thoughts on how the process has been explained? Is the contaminated water being blocked or is the process one that uses the silt fence?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The area encompassed by the silt fence is monitored once a week. The results, which have already been made publicly available, show that concentration levels are below set standard values and that even within the 0.3 km2 area of the harbor, concentrations are well below set standard values and the contaminated water is not having an impact. That is why the expression was used that the impact of the contaminated water is being completely blocked.

REPORTER: Does the Government support the view that every day large volumes of seawater are replaced within the harbor area?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that water does flow in and out, yes.

REPORTER: Including through the silt fence?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I think that it is natural that water, although not all water, would flow in and out through the silt fence. However, once a week the area encompassed by the silt fence is properly monitored and the results have shown that concentrations are well below set standard values. In addition, monitoring of the 0.3 km2 harbor area is also being implemented, with similar results that show that the levels are well below set standard values. It is for this reason that the expression was used that the impact of the contaminated water is being completely blocked.

REPORTER: I would have thought that it is important to consider the impact and the actual in-flow and out-flow of water separately with regard to whether the explanation about the processes involved is correct. It has been stated that large volumes of seawater are replaced between the inside and outside of the silt fence and that the water is being diluted. One way of looking at this is that if the concentrations do not decrease, it would suggest that new contaminated water is entering the sea. What are your views on this point and the reason why concentrations are decreasing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What I am saying is that the area within the silt fence is thoroughly checked once a week and even within the area encompassed by the fence the concentration levels are below set standard values. The results of the monitoring are provided in detail on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

REPORTER: I am not disputing the figures at all, and I can see for myself that the resulting impact is probably not very large at all, but TEPCO denied that contaminated water is flowing out, including the silt fence, and I get the impression that TEPCO is continuing to deny that this is the case. The explanations as to why the concentration levels are decreasing are completely different, one being that large volumes of seawater are being replaced each day, thus diluting the concentrations, and the other that the outflow is being blocked to a certain degree. This discrepancy could lead to misunderstanding and suspicion.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: For example, if it were the case that concentration levels were not being monitored within the silt fence, then that sort of explanation would be possible. However, given that the 0.3 km2 area of the harbor is being monitored and results have shown that concentrations are well below set standard values, this is the reason why the Prime Minister used the expression that the impact of the contaminated water is being completely blocked. I ask for your understanding on this point.

REPORTER: I understand what you are saying. The conclusion is ultimately the same, but the explanations of the processes involved, namely either that concentrations are low due to dilution by large volumes of seawater, or because contaminated water is being blocked, are entirely different. If there is a possibility that large volumes of radiation are escaping, what is the interpretation of the Government as to why concentrations are decreasing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you know, readings are taken weekly at areas within the boundary of the silt fence, so if highly radioactive water is being released, I believe that it would be reflected in those readings. I would think that as the water passes through the fence and moves into and out of the harbor, the readings would naturally be higher, however, as you know, the readings are in fact very low to the point of being almost negligible. Therefore, I believe that it is not possible that radiation levels within the boundary of the silt fence are actually high but have only been recorded as low because the water has been diluted.

REPORTER: It is possible that the low readings may be attributed to the fact that a large volume of water is moving into and diluting the contaminated water within the area roped off by the silt fence. What are the Government's views on this possibility? When I asked the same question of a director of one of the offices under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, he provided a similar answer, which was extremely difficult to understand. If the Government fails to provide an appropriate explanation as to why radiation levels are lowering when communicating with other countries, they would not even believe that the level is declining. They would be more inclined to believe that what the Government says is untrustworthy. In reality TEPCO was initially denying the leakage of contaminated water itself when a private researcher pointed out what I mentioned. The Government maintains that radiation levels are low, but I am seeking an explanation as to the process by which this is occurring. Could you tell us the Government's view on the possibility that radiation levels are low because the water is being diluted?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We acknowledge that it is possible. However, silt fences have been erected so as to ensure that the water remains within the fence as much as possible. We take and release readings weekly, which have been within limits. I should also say that the readings are taken from the center of the harbor. I truly hope that you understand that the readings from the center are well below limits; so low that they are almost undetectable.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In Cappadocia in Turkey, Japanese women were caught up in the middle of an incident, resulting in the death of one woman. Could you tell us the details of the incident if you have any you can share with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: According to the report of the Embassy of Japan in Turkey, local police authorities notified the embassy that in the afternoon of September 9 local time, two Japanese female tourists came under attack by an unidentified assailant armed with a knife in Cappadocia in Turkey, resulting in the death of one woman, while the other woman sustained serious injuries. I would like to offer my heartfelt prayers for the repose of the woman who lost her life and I would also like to express my deep sympathies to the woman who sustained serious injuries. Local police authorities are presently investigating the incident. Furthermore, the Embassy of Japan in Turkey is trying to collect information from local police, and a member of the embassy and a local official have been sent to the scene. In the interest of ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals, we are currently doing all we can to address the situation and have contacted the families of the victims.

REPORTER: It was two female Japanese nationals that came under attack. Is it possible that they were specifically targeted because of their nationality?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I should not comment prematurely, however if I am to speculate I would have to think that that reason is very unlikely.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Do you have any insight into the motivation behind the attack?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The local police are presently investigating the incident and I therefore must refrain from commenting on the details.

REPORTER: Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands. I have a question concerning this. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which carried out the nationalization, went ahead with the nationalization believing that it would have a lesser impact on Japan-China relations than the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's purchase of the islands. In reality the nationalization invoked numerous situations including repeated violations of territorial waters by China, ultimately developing into a serious national security issue. Could you share with us the Abe Government's thoughts on the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands by the DPJ Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Senkaku Islands are an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and in fact the Senkaku Islands are under the valid control of Japan. In light of this it is extremely regrettable that Chinese vessels repeatedly violate our territorial waters. The Abe Cabinet has been addressing this issue, displaying a firm commitment to protect the territorial land, waters, and airspace of Japan and is addressing the situation with a measured response.

REPORTER: The Abe Government was inaugurated in December last year and has since maintained that it will resolutely protect the territorial land, waters and airspace of Japan. However, the reality is that Japan has not been able to control nor stop the territorial violations by Chinese offshore patrol vessels. The activities of the Chinese military around the Senkaku Islands has continued to intensify. Given all this, do you have any concern that the claim of valid control of the islands is being brought into question? I believe that the party's public pledge touched on this, but does the Government have any intention to post public officers to the Senkaku Islands on a permanent basis in order to strengthen control of the islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, as for the violations by Chinese vessels, as I just said, the Senkaku Islands are, without question, territories of Japan and therefore it is the stance of the Abe Government that we address this issue without compromise and resolutely protect the territorial land, waters and airspace of Japan. In light of this, Japan will never make any concessions regarding the sovereignty of the islands.

REPORTER: On the same topic, what about the public officers that were to be stationed on the Senkaku Islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe that this is one of the options we can discuss. As for how we are going to discuss this option, I understand that this is something that we need to consider from a strategic point of view.

REPORTER: I believe a ministerial meeting concerning the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo will be held this afternoon. Could you share with us what will be discussed during the meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At today's meeting, discussions are expected to take place regarding the election of Tokyo as the host city of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games that was decided at the recent 125th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session, as well as regarding future plans.

REPORTER: Yesterday, I believe you touched briefly on the idea of establishing a sports agency. Will such matters also be discussed at today's meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I plan on explaining the details of the meeting at this afternoon's press conference, after the meeting has concluded.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the situation in Syria. Russia has urged the Assad government to put its chemical weapons under international control in order to dismantle them. President Obama has said that Russia's proposal was a potentially positive development and expressed his recognition that the dismantling of chemical weapons could avert military action. How does the Japanese Government view this?   

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government of Japan is aware of these news reports. Japan supports the efforts of the countries concerned to ensure that chemical weapons are never used again. From this perspective, while the details of Russia's proposal need to be confirmed, Japan views it as a positive development. Japan will continue to closely consult with the countries concerned, while closely monitoring such elements as the details of the proposal and whether or not the Syrian government demonstrates a sincere response to the proposal. In any case, Japan will continue to fully address the situation in Syria while working with the international community to end the violence, start a political dialogue, and improve the appalling humanitarian situation. 

REPORTER: If I may once again ask a question concerning the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands. It is said that China has urged the Japanese Government to recognize that there exists a territorial dispute involving the areas around the Senkaku Islands. Does the Government maintain the position that there exists no territorial dispute concerning the Senkaku Islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated repeatedly, the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of the territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and the Senkaku Islands are under the valid control of Japan. There exists no issue of territorial sovereignty to be resolved concerning the Senkaku Islands. Furthermore, Japan will not make any concessions over the issue of the sovereignty of Japan. Based on this position, Japan will promote the Japan-China relationship in line with the fundamental concept that Japan and China will hold persistent dialogues and make mutual efforts to develop the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests, so that individual issues do not affect the overall bilateral relationship. As the Prime Minister has also stated often, Japan will promote the bilateral relationship based on a stance that our door to dialogue is always open. 

REPORTER: Meanwhile, despite the large divide between the views of the two countries concerning the territory, you have stated from before that the gap is closing. From your perspective, do you have any sense of how the Japan-China relationship will grow closer?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have stated from before, meetings have been held at the director-general level of the diplomatic authorities and at the director-general level of the defense authorities. And more recently, the Prime Minister and President Xi Jinping engaged in a conversation. In a variety of contexts, Japan will promote the relationship from a broad perspective based on the stance that our door to dialogue is always open. 

REPORTER: One last question. Yesterday, an unmanned aircraft flew over the Senkaku Islands area. The Ministry of National Defense of China has acknowledged that this was in fact an aircraft of the Chinese military. What is the view of the Japanese Government regarding this? Also, what is your opinion regarding whether or not this had anything to do with the one year anniversary of the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands?  

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In principle, Japan takes all possible measures from peacetime to monitor and survey the waters and airspace surrounding Japan, including the Senkaku Islands, and furthermore, ensure readiness against encroachment of airspace. Naturally, the Government is making every effort to protect the lives of the Japanese people as well as Japan's territories, waters, and airspace. For example, in the case that an unmanned aircraft encroaches on Japanese airspace, Self-Defense Force units will take the necessary measures in accordance with Article 84 of the Self-Defense Forces Act in the same way they would respond to a manned aircraft. With regard to your question regarding the specific details of the anti-aircraft airspace incursion measures which are taken against the unmanned aircraft, let me refrain from responding to this, as that would be equivalent to revealing Japan's strategy. The Government is carrying out careful monitoring.  

REPORTER: In connection with the Japan-China relationship, ever since Tokyo was elected as the host city for the Olympics, I believe the Government has received various warm wishes, for example, in the form of a statement by President Obama or a congratulatory telegram from the Republic of Korea. Have you received anything from China? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Not that I am aware of as of this moment in time. I believe China naturally will welcome the Olympics as it is indeed a "peace festival."

REPORTER: When Beijing was selected, did Japan send a message?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Naturally, Japan also cooperated with the Beijing Olympics, and this all contributed to make the tournament so sensational.

REPORTER: During the Prime Minister's overseas visits, he disclosed that he would not reshuffle the Cabinet. At that time, you and the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) were asked to consult each other regarding the posts of Senior Vice Minister and below as well as regarding the remaining party posts. Can you explain the progress of the consultations? Also, you have a political history of often calling for the avoidance of factional maneuvering. Will the decisions regarding the Senior Vice Minister posts be free of factional maneuvering, or will you be accepting nominations from factions?      

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Secretary-General Ishiba and I discussed the basics. Now we will be getting into the specific tasks. It is natural that factional maneuvering is avoided. Indeed, the right person will be placed in the right position. Thanks to the support that the LDP received from the people of Japan at both the House of Representatives and House of Councillors elections, we have been able to create a stable administration. We will work hard to meet the expectations of the people by appointing the necessary officials to their respective positions. That is our basic concept.    

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Going back to the earlier topic of the unmanned aircraft, according to some news reports, today, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has strongly called on China to exercise self-restraint with regard to this issue of the unmanned aircraft. May I confirm if there is any truth to these news reports? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not yet confirmed the facts. However, whenever these events take place, MOFA habitually gives out warnings, asking the counterparty whether the reports are true or whether the counterparty has committed the act in question. However, I cannot say with certainty. 

REPORTER: You are saying that there is nothing which enables you to say with certainty that the unmanned aircraft was China's?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: This time too, as always, we are working to confirm the facts, of whether the unmanned aircraft was or was not China's.

REPORTER: Are you saying that as of now the Japanese Government has not yet concluded that it was China's?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: No, as we have only confirmed it by eye. We are aware that China has made a variety of statements. It is true that MOFA has asked China whether the unmanned aircraft is China's.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Moments ago, when you were discussing the Inter-Ministerial Council for Contaminated Water and Decommissioning Issues, you stated that the Government will tackle the issue of the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and the contaminated water issue to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. Is my understanding correct that the Government will stand at the forefront to work to resolve not only the contaminated water issue but also the decommissioning issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is exactly as I stated. The people indeed have extremely deep concerns. Therefore, the Government will come to the forefront to deal with the situation so that reconstruction can be achieved as quickly as possible.

REPORTER: The decommissioning work is expected to be enormously costly. Is it then possible that the Government will cover some of the costs in the place of TEPCO?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: In any case, countermeasures, including what you have mentioned, will be considered. The Government will come to the forefront to work to resolve the root of the problem.

REPORTER: This morning, a short while ago, I believe Minister Shimomura came to the Prime Minister's Office and met with you.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Unfortunately, I did not meet him. (Abridged) As the Minister is a Cabinet member, he attended the meeting on the Fukushima issue. In this context, the Minister expressed appreciation regarding the Olympic bid.

REPORTER: Yesterday, during the meeting of the Subcommittee of the Research Commission on the Tax System of the LDP, views were exchanged regarding the consumption tax increase. I understand that 17 people made comments, and not one person opined that the current plan to increase the tax should be reviewed. What is your view of this current situation within the LDP? Is it your understanding that at least the political environment has been established for the Prime Minister to determine the tax increase?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Prime Minister recognizes that the best opportunity has come to be able to break away from the deflation for the first time in 15 years. In this context, the Cabinet will carry out the two tasks of overcoming deflation and fiscal rehabilitation. Therefore, the stance remains completely unchanged that the Prime Minister will make a decision before the extraordinary session of the Diet while very carefully listening to the opinions of the people, including experts.