Press Conference by Minister Akazawa (Excerpt)

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

10:25‒10:36 a.m.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Earthquake that occurred off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture

With regard to the earthquake that occurred off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture at around 11:15 p.m. yesterday, we have so far received reports of 30 injuries, including one serious injury, and of one residential fire, as already reported by the media. Now we are collecting more information about the injuries and property damage. I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the earthquake. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) started to collect information about utility disruptions, including power and gas supply, immediately after the occurrence of the earthquake. I can currently provide you with the following information. For electricity, power outages affected about 4,200 households in the service area of Tohoku Electric Power and about 170 households in the service area of Hokkaido Electric Power, but fewer than 10 households are still out of power, and those are located in Mutsu City, and power is expected to be restored to all these households today. Also, the No. 2 unit of the Tomato-Atsuma thermal power plant, which had been shut down due to the earthquake, resumed its operations at around 4:30 a.m., or early in the morning today. One of the three transmission lines connecting Hokkaido and Honshu caught fire and another is under inspection following the earthquake. However, the fire has already been extinguished, and the remaining one line is still in operation. Therefore, supplementary electricity can still be supplied from Honshu, so there is no problem with the supply of electricity. Also, the No. 5 unit of Tohoku Electric Power’s Hachinohe thermal power station was shut down, however, this has had no impact on local power supply at this point. For gas and other fuels, we have so far received no damage reports. However, related facilities will be checked in detail during daytime today, and we may receive new information. Further, based on the decision made on the application of the Disaster Relief Act, we are making preparations for the establishment of contact points to support SMEs and small businesses affected by the earthquake in rebuilding their business and provide them with financial support. We will continue to collect information and take necessary measures in close cooperation with related ministries and agencies and industry associations. Also, I think you have already heard the news that the likelihood of a subsequent large earthquake is now assessed to be about 1% and higher than usual 0.1%. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued the Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory. As stated in the advisory, I hope you will make sure that you are prepared for an earthquake and are ready to evacuate if you feel a tremor, while living your daily lives and continuing to calmly conduct economic activities.

Question-and-Answer Session

Rare-earth imports from China

Q: Let me ask you about Japan-China relations. Due to the use of radar targeting Japanese self-defense force aircraft, there is concern that the bilateral relations will worsen. Please share your views on the present and future possible impact of the incident on rare-earth imports from China.

A: I understand that there has been no particular change to China’s export control measures for rare earths at this point. China started to implement the measures this April, and the ongoing measures are seriously affecting the global supply chains. On October 30, when I was in the Republic of Korea for the APEC Ministerial Meeting, I expressed strong concerns to Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, urging the Government of China to take appropriate action. METI will continue to closely monitor the situation and make necessary responses in collaboration with relevant countries.