Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The deployment of the Osprey aircraft to Okinawa
• London 2012 Olympics (the gold medal won by Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura in the all-around)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to the deployment of the Osprey aircraft. According to some reports, the flight training locations will be scattered to Iejima or to other remote islands. Can you confirm the facts regarding the status of the Government's considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: We are fully aware of the growing concerns about the safety of the Osprey, and the Government will do what it needs to do to address these concerns. However, currently, nowhere within the Government are there considerations being made to scatter training locations to remote islands near Okinawa's main island, as reported in the news. There is no truth to the reports that the Government is making such considerations.

REPORTER: Gymnast Kohei Uchimura won the gold medal in the all-around for the first time in 28 years for Japan. Can you give us any comments?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand he is from Nagasaki. Although he has won three consecutive world titles until last year, it is indeed a remarkable accomplishment to earn a gold medal at the Olympics. This is a very happy news. Yes, the first time in 28 years.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: You said that a variety of considerations are being made with regard to the deployment of the Osprey aircraft. Are you saying you believe as of now that this idea will not be presented at meetings of the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe what you asked in your question just now is not exactly what I have always been saying. I believe I never responded that a variety of considerations are being made with regard to the deployment itself. A variety of considerations are being made in order to dispel the concerns about the Osprey aircraft.