Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

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

9:34 to 9:40 a.m.
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
In front of the Cabinet Room, 2nd floor, National Diet Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

The Democratic Party for the People’s request regarding the Strategic Energy Plan

Q: Last week, the Democratic Party For the People (DPFP) submitted a request regarding the Strategic Energy Plan. In response to the policy speech delivered by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru after the submission of the request, the DPFP leader Tamaki Yuichiro criticized the absence of reference to the replacement, expansion, and building of nuclear power stations, which he had requested directly. I would like you to offer your thoughts on the DPFP’s request.

A: I understand that your question concerns the DPFP’s request as to the next Strategic Energy Plan. With respect to the Strategic Energy Plan, the deliberative council is now conducting a study, including on how to treat nuclear power stations, as I have already told you.
At present, I would like to refrain from commenting with any prejudgment on what the contents of the plan will be like.
My understanding is that the DPFP’s proposal is based on the awareness of challenges, such as how to ensure the right balance between stable supply, decarbonization, and economic efficiency, and how to secure and retain human resources and technologies with prospects for future growth in power demand. As I have already mentioned, we will present concrete governmental measures to respond to those challenges in the Strategic Energy Plan, which will be published by the end of the year.

Power and gas charges support

Q: I would like to ask you about power and gas support. Under the current supplementary budget, I understand that a total of 319.4 billion yen has been allocated for the provision of support during the so-called cold weather period, from January to March next year.
On the other hand, this year, support was also provided on a limited basis during the hot summertime. As for the exit strategy, it is difficult to make assumptions for the next year and beyond such as an unseasonably cool summer or warm winter. In this situation, please tell me about what exit strategy you have in mind for the future and also what the challenges will be.

A: In view of the decarbonization trend and the Green Transformation (GX) initiative, I do not think that the measures to reduce the energy price burden, such as power and gas charges support, should be continued endlessly.
Regarding import prices of fuels, while it is necessary to keep a close watch in the future, the prices have recently declined to levels similar to the ones seen before Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
In this situation, we will provide power and gas charges support only during the wintertime, from January to March, when the power usage volume is large, as an immediate measure to support people facing a difficult situation due to high prices.
It is important to promote an energy structure transition, so the crucial thing to do is to pursue thorough energy conservation and implement measures that lead to raising the energy self-sufficiency rate, such as using decarbonized power sources, including renewable energy and nuclear power.

A preferential tax measure for Rapidus

Q: I have a question concerning Rapidus. At your recent press conference after the cabinet meeting, you mentioned an ongoing study on a preferential tax measure. While a media report said that the measure will be put off, I would like you to tell me about the current status of the study.

A: We are examining such a tax measure. Therefore, as the ruling parties are making various adjustments, I would like to refrain from answering your question at the moment.