Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary(Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved seven general measures, draft bills, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning personnel affairs relating to the heads of national university corporations.

A Ministerial Meeting on Okinawa was held prior to the Cabinet meeting. In light of the request received recently from the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture and the Mayor of Ginowan City on "realizing the termination of operations at Futenma Air Station within five years," we decided to establish the Council for Promoting the Alleviation of the Burden of Futenma Air Station, a council comprised of the four ministers concerned with Okinawan issues, as well as the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture and the Mayor of Ginowan City. The Government is coordinating with Okinawa Prefecture to hold its first meeting as early as the 18th. Through this Council, the Government will work more closely than ever before with the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture and the Mayor of Ginowan City on alleviating the burden placed on Okinawa, with a focus on removing the dangers of Futenma Air Station in particular. In addition, our stance is to do everything that can possibly be done, and, as such, the Government will make concerted and exhaustive efforts to address this issue, while continuing to remain mindful of the feelings of the people of Okinawa.  

Q&As

• The issues related to the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station of Chubu Electric Power

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station of Chubu Electric Power. Chubu Electric Power made an application to restart Unit No. 4. With regard to Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station, then-Prime Minister Naoto Kan made a political decision to suspend the operations. In this context, what is your view regarding restarting this reactor and the decision made by then-Prime Minister Kan? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have been briefed that Chubu Electric Power applied to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) for an assessment of the compatibility of Unit No. 4 of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station with the new regulatory standards. As the Government has long stated, when it comes to nuclear power stations, it is the basic policy of the administration that safety is the foremost priority. Furthermore, decisions regarding the safety of the reactors will be made by the NRA, an independent body, based on new regulatory standards to achieve the world's highest level of safety. My understanding is that the NRA will carry out a rigorous screening of Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station as well, as would be the case with any other nuclear power station. 

REPORTER: It is said that Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station has high geopolitical risks. Are you saying that even with that being the case, a decision will be made in the same manner as with other nuclear power stations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe the NRA will set out a vision that includes such matters, based on an assessment that is among the most rigorous in the world. 

REPORTER: I understand that former Prime Minister Kan made the political decision to stop the reactor. What is your view on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Safety is our foremost priority and the NRA has developed the world's most rigorous standards. Therefore, whether or not this nuclear power station will be restarted should not be decided based on political considerations. Ultimately, my view is that we should entrust the decision to the rigorous screening of the NRA.