Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

JAPANESE

Q&As

REPORTER: In the recent plenary session of the House of Councillors the Prime Minister stated with regard to the extension of the current session of the Diet and the second supplementary budget that he would like to consider these matters proactively. What is the current status of consideration within the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: Upon the Prime Minister's return from his overseas visit, I provided him with an outline report on the status of Diet deliberations and the new budgetary measures for recovery, and the Prime Minister gave instructions that the Government and the ruling parties should coordinate matters at the Diet so as to be able to respond robustly to the budgetary measures and other items. Nothing has yet been finalized concerning the specific timing of when a budget proposal can be submitted. However, as I have said on a number of occasions to date, the Government wishes to respond robustly so as not to delay recovery and reconstruction.

REPORTER: So the Government is thinking of compiling a large scale budget for recovery and reconstruction, either in the form of a second supplementary budget, or, as in your words, issuing a second supplementary budget following the Bon holiday in August, with a "1.5" supplementary budget being compiled prior to that?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We have not yet reached such a specific stage in our considerations. At the same time, as we work to ensure that the first supplementary budget is steadily executed, it has also been pointed out that there are matters that the first supplementary does not cover and yet require an urgent response. Therefore considerations are ongoing in the various ministries and agencies and the Prime Minister has given instructions for the ruling parties to also give the matter consideration to ensure that there is no delay, including considerations on the length of the current session of the Diet.

REPORTER: You have often said that the opinions stated in opinion polls do not necessarily reflect actual public opinion. How do you think that public opinion regards the current moves to submit a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I think that many members of the public wish for the Kan Administration to engage in matters more thoroughly and severe criticisms to this effect have been raised. The Government must take such criticism with the utmost seriousness. On the other hand, in a situation in which the people directly affected by the disaster and power station accident as well as the wider population nationwide are filled with worries and concerns about the status of the disaster regions and the nuclear power station, I think that few of them would understand the internal moves currently underway in Nagatacho. The Kan Administration is taking the severe public criticisms more seriously and is seeking to respond to the disaster and nuclear situation by focusing on the livelihoods of the people rather than internal matters in Nagatacho.

REPORTER: On a related note, it appears that there are members of the ruling parties who sympathize with this move to submit a no-confidence motion. How do you view this situation from where you stand?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I have seen and heard various press reports about this matter, but as the ruling parties would not agree to a no-confidence motion I believe that your question is illogical.

REPORTER: We hear that even within the ranks of ministers, senior vice ministers and parliamentary vice-ministers there are those who sympathize with these moves to submit a no-confidence motion. Do you believe that there will be a rebellion from within the party that includes such senior figures? What is your recognition on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I am aware of the reports on this matter, but should senior ministers and parliamentary vice ministers agree to support such a motion, it would mean that they deny what they have been doing in the Kan administration by themselves This is again an illogical question.

REPORTER: In relating to that, if an event occurs that is "illogical" in what way do you think it would be better for the Government or the party to deal with it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: We must work to ensure that such an illogical event does not occur and ensure that rational logic prevails. This is something that should be duly dealt with by the party. However, I believe in the first place that such an illogical event will not occur.

REPORTER: If a rebellion that is, as you call, illogical, occurs, do you think that such rebels should be expelled from the party?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: I firmly believe that nothing illogical will happen.

REPORTER: With regard to the extension of the current session of the Diet, other than the second supplementary budget, are there any other draft bills that the Prime Minister has given instructions to be considered and prioritized for submission to the Diet in the event of an extension of the Diet session?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO: In specific terms, the Prime Minister has instructed that consultation and coordination be implemented with party members and this process of coordination has already begun. In terms of the length of the current session, there are still more than 20 days left and as this is the length of the session as defined by law the Government will make efforts to ensure that the necessary legislation passes the Diet within the given period. That is the basic premise for our actions and there are still 20 or so days remaining of the current session. In particular we will make efforts to ensure the passage of as many draft bills as possible that are of necessity. After that, based on the instructions of the Prime Minister, we will continue to closely consider what budgetary provisions and legislation are required for mid- to long-term response measures to the disaster and nuclear accident and at what timing such measures would be required.