Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER:There have been a number of press reports that cyber attacks occurred on overseas diplomatic missions of Japan. What has the Government been able to confirm about this matter at the current time?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently investigating this matter, but it is fact that since June many e-mails have been sent targeting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its overseas diplomatic missions. In addition, computer virus infections have been detected at a number of overseas diplomatic missions, which have been duly dealt with and erased. Since September the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strengthened its surveillance system in response to such incidents. As the content of these matters pertains to information security policy, I would like to refrain from providing further explanation about the measures implemented. The targeted e-mails were in actual fact sent to the open LAN of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which deals with data not highly classified. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where I previously served (as Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs), there are two separate terminals on each desk and one of these is a closed LAN that deals with highly classified information. The closed LAN was completely unaffected in the recent series of infected e-mails. The ministry is current engaged in various responses to the situation.

(Abridged)

REPORTER:I believe that Okinawa Prefecture has previously indicated a desire for legislation to be formulated that would promote the use of the land vacated by military bases. I also understand that Governor Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture will be reiterating this request to Prime Minister Noda in the near future. What is the status of the Government's considerations on this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:As the Act on Special Measures for United States Military Bases and the Act on Special Measures Incidental to Reversion of Lands in Okinawa Prefecture Offered for Use by United States Forces in Japan will expire during the course of this fiscal year, the Government is now deliberating the submission of new draft bills to the regular session of the Diet next year. Also, I believe that tomorrow representatives from the municipalities of Okinawa Prefecture are expected to present their requests, as they do every year, concerning the dezoning and reutilization of the land used for military bases. The Government will engage in consultations accordingly.

REPORTER:On a related note, I believe that Prime Minister Noda is scheduled to meet Governor Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture for the first time since becoming Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister intend to say anything to the governor other than about matters concerning the Council for Promotion of Dezoning and Reutilization of Military Land in Okinawa?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:The meeting tomorrow is scheduled to follow previous precedents and will be attended by a large number of people, including the Prime Minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary. It will therefore be a meeting to receive the requests from Okinawa Prefecture and will be a short meeting. You are correct in saying that it will be the first time for the Prime Minister to meet with Governor Nakaima.

REPORTER:With regard to the issue of construction of nuclear power stations in cooperation with Japan, there have been press reports that the Government of Vietnam has indicated that it seeks to conclude an agreement with the Government of Japan. Could you tell us the facts of this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:Since the announcement of the Japan-Viet Nam Joint Statement on the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia by Prime Minister Kan and Prime Minister Dung of Vietnam in October last year, Japan and Vietnam have engaged in consultations towards the realization of nuclear energy cooperation. These consultations are still ongoing between the two governments. At the current point it can only be conjectured as to whether the leaders of the two countries will exchange views on a nuclear energy agreement at the time of Prime Minister Dung's visit to Japan.

REPORTER:Putting aside the specific case of Vietnam, is it the Government's policy to continue to export nuclear energy technologies?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:As I have said on previous occasions, if a counterpart country indicates the need for technical cooperation with regard to nuclear energy, then based on our experiences of Fukushima, the Government will naturally engage in consultations. In general terms, the Government has not announced a policy that it will proceed apace with nuclear energy-related exports in the future. This is a matter that will also be discussed in the Energy and Environment Council and various discussions will continue until summer next year with a view to compiling a future nuclear energy policy for Japan.

REPORTER:Yesterday in a meeting between Minister of Defense Ichikawa and United States Secretary of Defense Panetta, the U.S. side made a request concerning mutual operability relating to the selection of the next generation FX fighter jet. Based on this request from the U.S., what does the Government intend to do in terms of selecting a next generation aircraft?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:With regard to the selection from among the three types of aircraft, a stringent set of evaluation criteria have been put in place and evaluation is being implemented based on these. I believe that the perspective of inter-operability will be duly considered within this evaluation, in a stringent, fair and neutral manner. This evaluation process is still ongoing. Naturally, I am aware of the statement made by Defense Secretary Panetta.

(Abridged)