Some Cabinet ministers said that Tuesday waiving debts of embattled Tokyo Electric Power Co. should only be discussed between private sector firms, suggesting the government shouldn't force lenders to forgive debts.
"The government has never had concrete discussions on the matter," Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters when asked about the administration urging creditor banks to forgive some of their loans to the utility before turning to the government for any support.
"Our basic position is letting Tepco and financial institutions discuss it in their private sector relationship," Noda also said after a Cabinet meeting.
His comments came after Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano indicated Friday that the potential debt waiver must come first before the government implements its set of measures to help Tepco address huge compensation claims after the March 11 disaster.