Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: The Otsu District Court just decided on a provisional injunction that orders the suspension of operations at Kansai Electric Power’s Takahama No. 3 and No. 4 nuclear reactors in Fukui Prefecture. This is the first suspension of an operating nuclear reactor restarted under the new standards after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident. Please explain the Government’s reaction to the decision.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Takahama No. 3 and No. 4 nuclear reactors received approval for compliance with new regulatory standards, which are said to be among the toughest in the world, after thorough review from an expert perspective by the independent Nuclear Regulatory Authority. The Government respects this decision and intends to continue its policy of moving forward with resumptions of plant operations. In any case, the Government is not a direct party in this case and the decision involves just a provisional injunction. I expect that Kansai Electric Power, the direct party, to decide how it intends to proceed, and the Government plans to monitor developments.

REPORTER: This is related. The No. 4 reactor encountered trouble that caused an automatic shutdown of the nuclear reactor three days after restarting. I think this experience unsettled local residents, and then the Court issued a provisional injunction. Is the Government unhappy with the Court’s decision in this case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: While I am aware of the provisional injunction order, I have not received a report on the details yet. At any rate, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority gave its approval based on new standards that are among the world’s toughest, and the Government retains its stance of respecting the approval decision from this perspective. I still need to be updated on the details.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: My question goes back to something covered in the morning briefing in relation to recommendations by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Entities related to the United Nations have been taking views that differ from opinions given by Japan, including discussions with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization regarding the Memory of the World Register. Please explain again the Government’s approach to disseminating information internationally.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government sufficiently raises issues that need to be raised and firmly argues against points that need to be rebutted if international entities have misperceptions about Japan. We intend to respond resolutely and make efforts to ensure that the international community properly understands Japan’s views, positions, and current situation.

REPORTER: This is related. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Secretariat have conducted public relations using videos and other materials on their web pages for issues such as territory and recognition of history, among others. Does the Government plan to make similar efforts in this case that address Japan’s traditions and historical background?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, of course. We will do this.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Republic of Korea’s (ROK) National Intelligence Service, its intelligence agency, announced that the smartphones of dozens of ROK government officials faced hacking attacks by North Korea during the end of February to early March and the attacks obtained information from about 20% of the officials. Have any ministers or top government officials in Japan been hacked by North Korea or others during 2016?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is aware of the possibility of this type of intelligence gathering by various governments and others. Within this context, I have been instructing the Counter-Intelligence Promotion Council, which I chair, to put its utmost efforts into our response. I am making sure this is done. For example, strict guidance is being given to ensure that officials retain a sufficient sense of crisis toward such hacking and other threats as a regular practice, and firm steps are being taken to prevent leaks, including rigorous use of encryption for highly confidential information.