Press Conference by Minister Akazawa (Excerpt)

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

9:36–9:40 a.m.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Visit to France and Belgium

From Tuesday, May 5, to Friday, May 8, I will visit France and Belgium to attend the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting and the Japan-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue. At the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in France, discussions will be held on topics such as responses to non-market policies and practices, strengthening critical mineral supply chains, and the multilateral trading system. During the Japan-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue in Belgium, held together with Mr. Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, European Commission, and Mr. Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, European Commission, I will confirm progress on industrial cooperation, including critical minerals, batteries, biotechnology, defense, and space, based on the Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance agreed to last July and discuss the way forward. Through this visit, I will also convey to like-minded G7 countries, including those in the EU, that, in order to overcome the current energy crisis, a rules-based multilateral trading system is crucial, as is the POWERR Asia initiative, Japan’s proposal to support Asia in this difficult situation and maintain global supply chains.

Question-and-Answer Session

Selecting Final Disposal Sites for High-Level Radioactive Waste

Q: I would like to ask you about the selection of final disposal sites for high-level radioactive waste. I assume the government will lead efforts to call for candidate sites going forward. Could you share your plan regarding the selection criteria and the number of sites to be chosen? In addition, please tell us once again why you chose Minamitorishima Island as the first site from which to request cooperation.

A: Minamitorishima Island, part of Ogasawara Village, is regarded as a region where, as shown on the Nationwide Map of “Scientific Features” relevant for Geological Disposal, there is a high possibility of confirming features that are favorable to such disposal. The island also has a vast unused area where surface facilities can be built. In addition, the entire island is state-owned land, and the local authorities have long supported national policy initiatives. Against this backdrop, the government requested that the municipality cooperate with a literature survey. In order to further expand the areas subject to literature surveys, it is our first priority to gain understanding from relevant local residents regarding the need for final disposal of high-level radioactive waste and the content of literature surveys. Therefore, we are currently working to discuss the matter with individual local government leaders and to hold nationwide briefings. On that basis, due to the responsibility that the government bears regarding this matter, we would like to comprehensively consider various factors, including regional geological environments and the availability of unused land, and approach candidate regions.