Ad Hoc Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At around 5:59 AM today, an earthquake measuring a lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale struck off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture. As a result of this earthquake, a tsunami warning  has been issued for Fukushima Prefecture. In addition, a tsunami advisory  has been issued for the Pacific coast stretching from Aomori Prefecture to Chiba Prefecture. Furthermore, a tsunami of up to 90 cm was observed in Fukushima Prefecture. Please immediately evacuate to a safe place if you are in the areas for which a tsunami warning or advisory has been issued. As of now, the cooling system for the spent fuel pool at Unit 3 of Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station is stopped. While the situation is now being confirmed, we have been briefed that this will not immediately lead to radiation leakage or to a rise in the fuel temperature. We have been briefed that there is nothing abnormal at Fukushima Daiichi and Onagawa Nuclear Power Stations. At this time, we have not received any particular reports regarding damages.   

Based on this situation, at 6:17 AM today, the Prime Minister instructed that tsunami, evacuation, and other information be provided to the people in a timely and accurate manner, that the level of the damages be ascertained quickly, and that the Government work as one in making maximum efforts towards emergency disaster response, including saving the lives of and rescuing those affected, in close coordination with the local governments. In addition, by telephone, the Prime Minister directly instructed me to undertake thorough preparations. Shortly after the earthquake, the Government immediately set up the Prime Minister Office’s liaison office at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister’s Office. Following the observation of tsunamis, it was reorganized into the Prime Minister Office’s response office. Furthermore, an emergency team comprised of director-general level members of relevant ministries and agencies was convoked. I attended its meeting and instructed the team to take all possible responses. The Government will continue to work to ascertain the level of the damages and make maximum efforts towards emergency disaster response in close coordination with the local governments.     

I ask the people to immediately evacuate to a safe place, especially if you are in the areas for which a tsunami warning or advisory has been issued. If you are in the areas where there was strong shaking, please pay attention to information communicated by local governments and others regarding evacuation, as well as TV, radio, and other information. Please help each other and behave calmly.