Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER:This is something that also came up in this morning's press conference, concerning the comment about the revision of the Three Principles on Arms Exports, made by Chair of the Policy Research Committee of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Mr. Maehara. Last year, when the Cabinet approved the National Defense Program Guidelines, although there was discussion about revising the Three Principles, the Cabinet approved the Guidelines without clarifying the issue. Are the comments you made in this morning's press conference consistent with the Cabinet decision made last year?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The Three Principles on Arms Exports is founded on the philosophy of Japan as a peaceful nation and the Government position is to continue to maintain and uphold this basic philosophy. On the other hand, as is also pointed out in the new National Defense Program Guidelines, given the major changes that are occurring in the international environment surrounding defense equipment, with regard to what would be the appropriate measures to ensure that Japan can promote international cooperation, as well as effectively and efficiently building up its defense forces, the Government will consider this topic from a broad perspective, while maintaining our basic philosophy of Japan as a peaceful nation.

(Abridged)