Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:I would like to make an announcement about Prime Minister Noda's attendance at the G20 Cannes Summit. Prime Minister Noda will be visiting France from Wednesday, November 2 to Saturday, November 5 to attend the G20 Cannes Summit. At the G20 Cannes Summit, discussions among the leaders are expected to focus on the issues of the global economy precipitated by a discussion on Europe's debt issue and other issues. It is vital that the major countries issue a strong message to ensure the stability and sustainable growth of the global economy. Prime Minister Noda intends to make active contribution to this end. Also, on the sidelines of the G20 summit, bilateral meetings are currently being arranged with the leaders of three countries.

Q&As

REPORTER:I believe a moment ago, the Prime Minister, Minister Gemba, Minister Ichikawa, and you were all having a discussion together. Can you share with us the content of the discussion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:Today's meeting, led by the Prime Minister, was held among myself, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Defense to make final adjustments regarding the deployment of the Self-Defense Force (SDF) engineering unit to South Sudan based on the reports of the studies conducted so far in the country.

REPORTER:Was a conclusion reached?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The policy of the Government will be announced very soon. There are a variety of procedures which need to be undertaken among the Government and ruling parties from now on. I would like to make the announcement in the near future.

(Abridged)

REPORTER:Regarding South Sudan, there were clashes between rebel groups and government forces near the border in the North, resulting in 45 fatalities. What is your view at this stage regarding its impact on the deployment of SDF for participation in peacekeeping operations (PKO)?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The incident you mentioned occurred approximately 500km from the capital city of Juba, closer to Sudan. Furthermore, according to the study team which has been deployed in advance to the country, there are no direct threats to the United Nations (UN) overall with regard to South Sudan. In addition, the community members have a very favorable impression of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). At any event, final adjustments are now being made, including whether or not to deploy an SDF unit to UNMIS.

(Abridged)

REPORTER:Earlier, Minister of Finance Azumi announced that Japan has intervened unilaterally in response to the yen's appreciation. Can you please tell us why Japan intervened today, and moreover, unilaterally?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:I believe that is a question you should fundamentally direct to the Ministry of Finance and the Minister of Finance. Nevertheless, it is certain that the yen has appreciated lopsidedly in the recent currency exchange market. As we have been saying from before, as the Japanese economy finally regains momentum toward recovery after the earthquake, we have felt that much caution needs to be paid to the risk of economic decline caused by these current movements. Based on the report I received, I understand that the intervention began a short while ago in order to take all possible measures against speculative and disorderly movements in order to prevent this risk of decline of the Japanese economy from becoming a reality.

(Abridged)

REPORTER:I have a question on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). As the days pass, a variety of opinions are emerging, both pro and con, even among the public. What is the Government's interpretation of these public opinions at this moment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The Government is paying close attention to both the public's opinions and the very heated discussions taking place among the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).

(Abridged)