Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: A short while ago, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.’s Sendai Nuclear Power Station was restarted. What is the Government’s comment regarding this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Today, at 10:30 a.m., the reactor at Unit 1 of Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.’s Sendai Nuclear Power Station was activated. In the Strategic Energy Plan, the Abe administration set forth that in the case that the Nuclear Regulation Authority confirms the conformity of nuclear power plants with new regulatory requirements, which are of the most stringent level in the world, the Government of Japan will proceed with the restart of nuclear power plants. This policy has already been approved as a Cabinet decision. Furthermore, a clear decision had already been made to proceed with the restart of the nuclear power plant. I believe it was based on this policy that Sendai Nuclear Power Station was restarted. The safety of nuclear power plants takes priority over anything else. The inspection process for Sendai Nuclear Power Station is ongoing. My understanding is that Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. has made it its top priority to ensure safety. I understand that it was in this context that the Sendai Nuclear Power Station was restarted.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the subject to the issue of abductions. Yesterday, several ROK media agencies reported that there is a growing chance that Prime Minister Abe will visit North Korea as early as later this month and hold a Japan-North Korea summit meeting. Is this true?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have absolutely no idea on what basis such reports were made. There is no truth to such reports.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Does the Government consider the Prime Minister’s visit to North Korea as a possible option for achieving a breakthrough in the abduction issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Resolving the abduction issue is a top priority of the Abe Cabinet. It is true that the Government is making every effort to this end. However, there is no truth to what you just stated.

REPORTER: As a senior U.S. Government official, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, attended for her first time the ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the anniversaries of the atomic bombings. There are speculations that Secretary of State John Kerry may visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on the occasion of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hiroshima next April, and that President Barack Obama may visit the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake on the occasion of the Ise-Shima Summit next May. Can you please share your views on this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Japan perceives that it would be very beneficial in terms of promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation if world leaders visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki and see the aftermath of the atomic bombings firsthand. At this stage, the Government is not in a position to comment on the diplomatic itinerary of President Obama.

(Abridged)