Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER:On a different subject, there have been some press reports that Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Taketoshi is heading a team of government officials from ministries and agencies concerned with the issue of Futenma Air Station, and will visit Okinawa Prefecture on November 18 and 19. What are the facts of this matter and what is the status of considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:First of all, you have mentioned the schedule for a visit to Okinawa of Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Taketoshi, but nothing has been decided and therefore your statement is not based on fact. What is a fact is that Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Taketoshi has been performing an important role within the Government to date concerning matters relating to Okinawa, including the issue of the Futenma Air Station. Whatever the case, the current status is that with regard to the issue of the relocation of Futenma Air Station, the Government is making concerted efforts to seek the understanding of the people of Okinawa.

(Abridged)

REPORTER:With regard to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, I believe that the Prime Minister will be making a statement in his press conference, but could you explain to us the merits and demerits of the TPP, from your position of Chief Cabinet Secretary?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA:Given time constraints I will limit myself to a short explanation, but for Japan, a trading nation located in the Asia-Pacific region, it will be of positive benefit to engage in economic partnership at a high level to boost growth potential in the Asia-Pacific region, which is an engine for global growth. If Japan were to participate in the TPP negotiations, our concerns and assertions could be reflected in the process of formulating trade and investment rules for the Asia-Pacific region and we would seek to ensure these assertions are reflected to the fullest degree possible, thus maintaining and expanding Japan's national interests. On the other hand, there is also the challenge of balancing these interests with revitalization of the agricultural industry. There are also various concerns in a number of other sectors. These concerns have yet to be fully allayed, and although these concerns are not necessarily demerits, I am aware that they exist.