Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Governor Nishikawa of Fukui Prefecture has indicated that he would approve the decommissioning of the Monju fast breeder reactor. Can you please share the comments of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As regards the Government, relevant parties have been reviewing the concrete arrangements and plans for dismantling the Monju reactor in a safe and steady manner, in accordance with the policy that was decided last December at the meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Council for Nuclear Power. At the meeting of the Council on the Monju Fast Breeder Reactor held this morning, the Government explained to Governor Nishikawa of Fukui Prefecture and Mayor Fuchikami of Tsuruga City its basic policy on dismantlement measures for Monju and the draft basic plan of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, which take into account the comments and views we have received from the local community. The Governor expressed the view that proceeding with the dismantlement of Monju was inevitable. We also received report that members of the community hosting Monju have made a number of comments related to the revitalization of the area. Taking these local opinions seriously, the Government and the relevant organizations will continue to make concerted efforts towards the safe and steady dismantlement of Monju.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In the opinion of the Government, what is the biggest challenge to the steady dismantlement of the Monju reactor?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We will undertake steady steps while taking seriously the requests of the host community regarding safety and regional revitalization.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding Monju. At the meeting held earlier, I believe the Government announced its intention to move spent fuel out of Fukui Prefecture in connection with the decommissioning. I understand it was not made clear where the spent fuel would be moved to. Do you have a rough idea?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, a draft basic policy on dismantlement measures was presented at today’s Council meeting. The draft basic policy states that the plan regarding the method and deadline for moving the spent fuel for reprocessing would be reviewed in about five and a half years, by the time the fuel has been removed from the core to the fuel pond. The spent fuel will be moved swiftly once a conclusion has been reached. So the Government will take steady steps to review the method and the plan in five and a half years’ time.