原発げんぱつ地域ちいき振興しんこう特別とくべつ措置そち法ほうの適用てきよう範囲はんい 半径はんけい30さんじゅうキロ圏内けんないに拡大かくだいへ

On the 29th, the government held a ministerial meeting on nuclear power and decided to expand the scope of legally based financial support to municipalities within a 30-kilometer radius of nuclear power plants.

On the morning of the 29th, the government held a meeting of ministers related to nuclear power at the Prime Ministers Office.

We have decided to expand the scope of the Special Measures Law for the Promotion of Nuclear Power Plant Areas, which stipulates government subsidies for public works projects in municipalities surrounding nuclear power plants, from the current 10-kilometer radius to a 30-kilometer radius.

After the 2011 accident at TEPCOs Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the designated priority area for disaster prevention measures, such as the formulation of evacuation plans, was expanded to within a 30-kilometer radius of the plant. However, the scope of financial support remained unchanged at within a 10-kilometer radius, leading governors and other officials from prefectures hosting nuclear plants to call for improvements.

Also, at the meeting on the 29th, it was decided to establish a special team led by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary to strengthen government oversight of the operation of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, which Tokyo Electric Power Company aims to restart.

Governor Hanazumi of Niigata Prefecture has stated that, after conducting efforts to understand the opinions of the residents, he will indicate his decision regarding the restart sometime next month or later. The focus will be on how the national governments response this time will affect local consent.

The official from the Cabinet Office said, We would like to implement it as soon as possible, but has not specified a concrete timeline at this point.

If designated as a target, support such as an increase in the national subsidy rate from the usual 50% to 55% for the development of roads, ports, schools, and so on will be available.

The expansion of the scope of this financial support is also seen as an effort to encourage the restart of nuclear power plants across the country, including the Tokyo Electric Power Companys Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture.

Prime Minister Ishiba: Make every effort to promote understanding for restarting operations. Prime Minister Ishiba stated, It is important to provide thorough and careful explanations and information dissemination so that the understanding of the safety and necessity of nuclear power plants deepens, and to enhance the effectiveness of evacuation measures, such as improving evacuation routes and indoor shelter facilities to ensure smooth evacuation of residents in the event of a nuclear disaster. He instructed relevant ministers to enhance and strengthen the nuclear disaster prevention system.

Regarding the restart of nuclear power plants, the governments consistent policy is to make safety the top priority, and to proceed with restarts only when the Nuclear Regulation Authority has confirmed compliance with the new regulatory standards and after obtaining the understanding of the local community.

I requested that the relevant ministers and TEPCO make every effort to ensure understanding progresses regarding the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, in order to secure a stable and efficient supply of electricity.

TEPCO President Announces New Financial Support for Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Restart After the ministerial meeting on nuclear energy, Tomoaki Kobayakawa, President of Tokyo Electric Power Holdings, told reporters regarding efforts in Niigata Prefecture toward restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, Since electricity generated by the nuclear plant is supplied to the Tokyo metropolitan area, I recognize that there are calls for initiatives that further contribute to the development of the local economy. He revealed that new financial support and other measures will be implemented to help revitalize the regional economy.

The specific details will be decided based on future consultations with the local community.

It was also revealed at the meeting on the 29th that the head of the Management Reform Support Office of the Nuclear Damage Compensation and Decommissioning Facilitation Corporation will be added as a member of the meeting to incorporate external perspectives into the overall operation, including safety measures at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant.

President Kobayakawa stated, In addition to the management meetings, we will also work diligently to strengthen our management system under the guidance of the monitoring team established by the government.