Press Conference by Minister Muto (Excerpt)

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

10:58 to 11:12 a.m.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Visit to Nagasaki Prefecture and Fukui Prefecture

If circumstances permit, I will be visiting Nagasaki Prefecture on July 16 and Fukui Prefecture on July 17. In Nagasaki, I will visit Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-related ship and aircraft engine parts manufacturing facilities. From the viewpoint of economic security, we need to strengthen our domestic manufacturing capacity and broaden global collaboration, including exports, both in the shipbuilding and aircraft industries. I hope that visiting these facilities will give me some insights that will help us to set future policies for these fields. In Fukui Prefecture, I will visit Kansai Electric Power’s Mihama Nuclear Power Station to see progress in the implementation of safety measures, among other matters. I will also meet Mr. Sugimoto Tatsuji, Governor of Fukui Prefecture, to exchange views on safety measures at nuclear power plants as well as on management of spent nuclear fuel.

GENIAC

For GENIAC, which was launched to support the development of generative AI foundation models, we started the third open call phase this March and have decided to adopt 24 projects from among the entries. Today we will announce them on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The adopted projects include those for autonomous driving and drug discovery fields, in which we have already provided support, as well as those for generating control programs for manufacturing machines and for medical settings and construction sites.

METI will support these projects so that the models developed through them will be promptly put into practical use in society and lead to the transformation of people’s economic activities and daily lives.　Please make inquiries with the administrative staff for details.

Question-and-Answer Session

Ensuring the long-term power supply

Q: I would like to ask you about securing the power supply over the long term. The Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO) warns in its power demand forecast that if demand increases, Japan might face a power shortage in 2050 even if the country succeeds in the resumption and replacement of nuclear and thermal power generation plants. In response to this forecast, how will you secure low-carbon power sources? In particular, some insist that nuclear power is a low-carbon baseload power source that can be used to meet power demand from data centers. What is your view on nuclear power plants?

A: According to the report published by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO) on July 9, power demand will increase toward 2040 and 2050 due to the construction and expansion of data center facilities, which you have mentioned. Also, I am aware that despite the progress of energy-saving technologies, multiple organizations specializing in the field are predicting an increase in power demand based on their analysis results, not limited to the prediction made in the OCCTO report. In view of such forecasts, the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan indicates the need for Japan to secure low-carbon power sources and make maximum use of both renewable energy and nuclear energy in order to solve issues such as the low energy self-sufficiency rate and heavy dependence on thermal power generation, while dealing with an increase in power demand.

For the maximum use of nuclear power generation, on the premise that the operation of the reactors that have passed the Nuclear Regulation Authority’s safety inspections will be steadily resumed while giving first priority to nuclear safety, I think it is necessary to improve the facility utilization rate by increasing the efficiency of regular inspections and to foster the development and installation of next-generation innovative reactors. At the same time, measures need to be implemented for the establishment of a nuclear fuel cycle along with the promotion of activities to gain the public’s understanding for the final disposal of nuclear fuel. Going forward, I think the government should demonstrate leadership to meet these requirements.

Customer event by Rapidus

Q: Concerning semiconductors, I would like to ask you a question. Rapidus Corporation will hold an event and a press conference in Chitose on July 18 to explain the progress of pilot production of next-generation semiconductors. What is METI’s perspective on the progress made by Rapidus toward the development of next-generation semiconductors? What do you expect for its future progress, and how will the government support it going forward?

A: Rapidus started to launch the Chitose pilot production line this April. I expect that its mass production technology will be further advanced for higher yield and other improvements. I hear that participants in the customer event will include semiconductor design companies that might become customers of Rapidus in the future. I expect that the semiconductor company will enhance collaboration with these potential customers through the event.

Toward the enforcement of the law enacted this April, METI is now in the process of deciding on the specific details of the criteria to select companies to be financially supported by the Ministry, while listening to the opinions of experts in the field. As already explained during Diet deliberations, METI will steadily give necessary support for the progress of the efforts by Rapidus, in consideration of the results of examinations conducted by external experts.

Mutual Tariffs on automobiles imposed by the United States and Canada

Q: Let me ask you about tariffs. The United States and Canada have imposed higher tariffs on automobiles mutually. Likely as an effect of the tariffs, Nissan and Mazda suspended the production of automobiles for Canada at their plants in the United States. Please share with us your views on the present situation and on the support that needs to be given to cope with the tariffs.

A: How each country reacts to U.S. tariff measures, such as the response by Canada which you have referred to, impacts also on global supply chains, and I think we should continue to monitor these reactions. METI has held the meeting of its Task Force for U.S. Tariffs five times, including the last one held on June 26, and will continue to collect information about the impact of the tariffs on domestic industries and employment. As for additional support measures, we will carefully assess the impact to implement all necessary measures without hesitation.