Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER:There have been media reports that the Government is considering the purchase of additional bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). What is the current status of considerations with regard to this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The financial issues facing Europe at the moment are of great importance for Japan, and Europe is making its own efforts to restore confidence in the markets. From the comprehensive perspective of contributing to financial stability in Europe, the Government's stance is to consider assistance to Europe through measures such as the purchase of EFSF bonds.

REPORTER:In discussions concerning revisions to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), in one of the Ad Hoc Working Groups meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference in Panama, the Japanese delegation has emphasized that the export of nuclear power generation technologies should still be left on the agenda for consideration under the CDM. This has attracted widespread criticism from international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and resulted in Japan being presented with the "Fossil of the Day Award." What is the Government's view of this sequence of events?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The "Fossil of the Day Award" is issued each day, I believe. In the Ad Hoc Working Group at the UN Climate Change Conference, I think that the statements by the Japanese delegation as reported in the press are based on a stance that all technologies that can be utilized should be included in the post-2013 CDM. With regard to the handling of nuclear power within the CDM, considerations are currently underway to compile a concept concerning the modalities for international cooperation on nuclear power. The positions of the various parties with regard to their support for or opposition to the CDM are firmly entrenched, and it has been noted that it is unlikely that progress will be made at the Panama conference. Japan and the European Union (EU) indicated their agreement on this point. Therefore the actual situation of the meeting was that Japan merely agreed, instead of actively stating its point of view.

(Abridged)

REPORTER:I have a question concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. You have mentioned in your press conference that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit will represent one milestone for the TPP, and in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) the Chairman of the Policy Bureau Mr. Maehara has indicated that a study group meeting will be held on this subject during the course of this week. Who is the central figure leading discussions within the Government and where is it anticipated that the discussions will be held?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:Although discussions on this issue are already underway at the working level in the related ministries and agencies, in terms of Cabinet deliberations, discussions on the TPP will form one part of a new body on national strategy to be created under Minister Furukawa and will be one of the first themes to be addressed by this new body. However, the framework for this new body has yet to be decided. From today Minister Furukawa will be on an overseas visit and work on this issue will begin immediately upon his return.

(Abridged)