Press Conference by Minister Saito (Excerpt)

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

11:04 to 11:17 a.m.
Friday, September 20, 2024
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Adopting perovskite solar cells under the Green Innovation Fund

Good morning.
I would like to mention one point.
I hereby announce that today, we have adopted next-generation perovskite solar cells as the target of a new demonstration project under the Green Innovation Fund. In this project, perovskite solar cells will be installed on the walls of the first building in the world to be equipped with the function of mega-solar power generation and on roofs with low load-bearing capacity, such as gymnasiums. The operators of this project are Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO).
International competition over perovskite solar cellss has been intensifying. Amid this situation, we will provide seamless support in this field from technology development to social implementation.
Moreover, we will take a comprehensive approach to these solar cells, including building a resilient supply chain and creating a system that appropriately evaluates and incorporates non-price elements, and we hope to realize a supply chain and system that will be the equal of others around the world in terms of scale and speed and to execute global leadership.
I will end my remarks here.

Question-and-Answer Session

China’s import restriction measures on Japanese fishery products and the trial retrieval of fuel debris

Q: First of all, some media reported that the Governments of Japan and China are making final adjustments aimed at lifting China’s restrictions on the imports of Japanese fishery products. Could you confirm this point?
Second, on the 17th, TEPCO suspended again the trial retrieval of fuel debris at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). This suspension was caused by the failure of camera images to appear on the monitor in the remote control room. Could you offer a comment on this slow progress of the work? In addition, in response to this second suspension, do you intend to give TEPCO any recommendations?

A: First, I am aware of the media report on China, of course.
Concerning the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, Japan has been communicating with the IAEA and related countries, including China, at various levels, but I would like to refrain from commenting on the details of this communication in consideration of our relationships with partner countries.
Concerning China's import restrictions on Japanese fishery products, we, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and agencies to promote a correct understanding based on scientific evidence. In addition, we will continue to strongly urge China to immediately repeal its import restrictions.
As for the trial retrieval of fuel debris at Unit 2 of TEPCO’s FDNPS, TEPCO had checked its preparatory work before the start of the so-called “gripping work,” which involves “gripping and holding” the fuel debris inside the primary containment vessel. However, on the 17th, the company found that the camera installed on the end of the device for retrieving fuel debris did not work. Therefore, the company has undertaken to confirm the situation.
As a result, I have been informed that the company found that the cause was most likely due to the body of the camera, and it decided to pull the device, including the camera, back outside the primary containment vessel.
The retrieval of fuel debris at FDNPS is a very difficult task that has no precedent in the world. As it is also work that is carried out in a high-radiation environment, TEPCO is expected to face a variety of difficulties going forward, not just in this case, and I think this situation makes the work more difficult to achieve. To complete the trial retrieval work, above all, the company should steadily proceed with the work step by step, while paying close attention to safety, I believe.
I would like TEPCO to make every possible effort to secure its investigation of the cause and to take measures based on the findings, but I do not intend to give TEPCO any further recommendations as of today.

Supporting next-generation semiconductors

Q: I would like to ask you about two points concerning the bill for the act necessary for the mass production of next-generation semiconductors.
Yesterday, some media reported that the government has abandoned the submission of the bill to the extraordinary session of the Diet this year and is currently making adjustments to submit it to the ordinary session of the Diet next year. Could you explain your view on around when METI intends to submit the bill?
I have another question related to this matter. This bill was prepared in response to the direction of Prime Minister Kishida, but he has decided to step down. Could you explain if this will affect the submission of the bill or if the policy of submitting the bill will remain unchanged even with the new Cabinet?

A: First, concerning the bill for the act necessary for the mass production of next-generation semiconductors, the government has not yet decided to submit the bill to the extraordinary session of the Diet. However, we have been striving to submit and establish the bill as soon as possible.
Practically speaking, I think that it is becoming more difficult to submit the bill to the next extraordinary session of the Diet. The Rapidus project has been advancing the development of next-generation semiconductors, an essential device from the perspective of Digital Transformation (DX), Green Transformation (GX), and economic security. In any case, we would like to proceed with the necessary deliberations on the bill so as not to make a negative impact on the schedule for the start of mass production in 2027.
As for the new administration, as you have mentioned, the decision on whether or not to submit the bill to the Diet should be made by the new prime minister and the Cabinet, of course. Still, METI will continue to carefully consider the submission based on the Basic Policy 2024 and the policies directed by the prime minister.