Press Conference by Minister Saito (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

11:31 to 11:35 a.m.
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

Trial retrieval of fuel debris

Q: This morning, Tokyo Electric Power Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO) announced that it has started to retrieve fuel debris in Fukushima. Last month, there was an error made during the preparatory work. Please explain the direction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the government for supervising and providing guidance to the company going forward?

A: At 7:20 a.m. today, September 10, TEPCO started the trial retrieval of fuel debris at Unit 2 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). Regarding the recent suspension of the retrieval work, last week, September 4, I received a report from President Kobayakawa Tomoaki of TEPCO on the cause and measures that will need to be taken from this point forward. I strongly urged the company to appropriately manage work processes, including the preparatory work, and to conduct checks in accordance with the content of the report with due consideration given the characteristics of the work.
I have been informed that TEPCO took measures such as revising the manual to clarify the need for the presence of TEPCO officials during the work and making it easier for heavily equipped workers to identify the pipe identification numbers. I have also been informed that yesterday, September 9, President Kobayakawa himself observed the on-site situation at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
The start of the trial retrieval marks the transition to the third phase, a period that will continue from the start of retrieval of fuel debris to the completion of decommissioning measures, under the Mid- to Long-Term Roadmap.
Going forward, as the most difficult work process that constitutes the centerpiece of decommissioning begins, I would like to urge TEPCO to first and foremost work toward the completion of this trial retrieval work while maintaining a high level of alertness.