Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 14 general and other measures, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, I made a statement as the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the temporary acting Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning international peace cooperation operations in South Sudan (dispatch of an engineering unit, etc.), and the Minister of Finance made a statement concerning the FY2011 supplementary budget (Article 4 of the General Account and Article 4 of the Special Account). In addition, I, again as the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the temporary acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as the Minister of Defense made a statement concerning the development of the next fighter aircraft. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning a personnel decision related to the head of a special public corporation. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry made a statement concerning a personnel decision related to the head of an independent administrative agency. The Minister of Finance and I made a statement concerning the schedule of the FY2012 budget formulation.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry made a statement concerning his visit to Switzerland, and I made a statement concerning the overseas visits of ministers and others during the year-end and New Year holiday period.

Prior to the Cabinet meeting, a meeting of the National Security Council was held. The three items on the meeting's agenda were: 1) The death of Chairman Kim Jong-Il of the National Defense Commission of North Korea; 2) The dispatch of a Self-Defense Force (SDF) engineering unit, etc. to South Sudan; and 3) The development of the next fighter aircraft. With regard to the dispatch of the SDF engineering unit, etc. to South Sudan and the development of the next fighter aircraft, the decisions made as a result of the deliberations are as stated in the material in front of you. At the Cabinet meeting that followed, the necessary Cabinet decision was made regarding the dispatch of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) engineering unit, etc. to the international peace cooperation operations in South Sudan. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the development of the next fighter aircraft.

With regard to North Korea, information and the like concerning the situations up to the death of Chairman Kim Jong-Il of the National Defense Commission was heard from the ministries and agencies. In addition, the ministers concerned were asked to continue to work to collect and share information, as well as make all necessary preparations for contingencies. As to the specifics, I would like to refrain from commenting given the nature of this matter.

Regarding South Sudan, the peace and stability of South Sudan, which gained independence in July of this year and is now at the critical juncture of nation-building, are vital issues for the international community. As a responsible member of the entire international community, it is very meaningful that Japan is proactively involved in the consolidation of peace and security and the development of South Sudan. The SDF personnel are expected to be dispatched successively from January of next year. Among those being dispatched, the GSDF engineering unit is expected to conduct operations in South Sudan's capital of Juba and the neighboring areas for some period of time. For details on the work plan, please direct your questions to the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters of the Cabinet Office.

With regard to the next fighter aircraft, after proposals were received in September of this year, the Ministry of Defense selected a model based on the prescribed evaluation criteria and formulated a proposal after going through the necessary selection procedures, and the model name and other items were decided at the meeting of the National Security Council today. For specific questions on the next fighter aircraft, I would appreciate it if you could direct your questions to the Ministry of Defense.

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A Japan-United States (U.S.) foreign ministers' meeting took place, and both sides agreed to respond in close coordination with each other. What reports have you received about the meeting? Also, specifically, how do Japan and the U.S., and in particular, Japan, U.S., and the Republic of Korea (ROK) intend to work together moving forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Japan-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting was realized based on Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba's first visit to the U.S. on the invitation of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I believe your question is in reference to North Korea. Foreign Minister Gemba shared the recognition that it is important that the unfolding situation does not negatively affect peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, and confirmed to closely monitor the situations concerned between Japan and the U.S. and among Japan, U.S., and the ROK and work closely with each other while sharing information. Both sides also shared the view on the need to cooperate closely with the partners of the Six-Party Talks. In addition, views were exchanged on other matters, such as Japan-U.S. relations, the Middle East situation, and Japan-U.S. security arrangements.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: One day has passed (since reports of the death of Chairman Kim Jong-Il). Do you believe that the change in North Korea's rule will lead to a breakthrough in the situation of the abduction issue? I would appreciate it if you can once again share your thoughts.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is still too early at this point in time to comment on whether this will lead to any opportunities or whether this will have any impact. In this sense, we will be closely monitoring the situation. Also, as we have said continuously until now, we hope that the unfolding situation will not negatively affect peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. In any case, Minister Gemba said, too, that Japan would like to continue to work to collect information in close consultation with relevant countries and take appropriate responses, including between Japan and the U.S.

REPORTER: With regard to North Korea, there are also concerns about North Korea taking some sort of military action in order to boost national prestige or to build up a track record. There are also worries that the situation will lead to the emergence of boat people or missile launches. While you refrained from commenting on the specifics a moment ago, if you have conducted any specific simulation exercises and the like in preparation for such contingencies, can you tell us the status of such considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Regarding any anomalous events, at this present time it has not been confirmed that there are any peculiar situations that would directly affect the security of Japan. Also, of course bearing in mind that the possibility cannot be ruled out that the change in the power structure in North Korea will lead to a contingency, we will continue to make utmost efforts to collect and analyze information on the evolving events in North Korea. In addition, various government office and ministries are taking an array of responses based on instructions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the National Police Agency, and the Japan Coast Guard. Therefore, please forward your questions to the respective government office and ministries. We are making all necessary preparations.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Changing the subject, I have a question on the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems. A meeting among five ministers was convened today, and I believe you once again gave instructions for efforts to be made to compile a draft plan by the end of the year, including regarding taxes. Is that a correct understanding of the nature of the instructions? Also, with respect to social security, I believe the proposal of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was initially presented and the Government led the discussions to some extent. What is the plan for taxes?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, with regard to my statement at the meeting among five ministers a moment ago, I asked that the relevant ministers continue to cooperate and make efforts to compile a draft plan by the end of the year, including the section on taxation system reform. Therefore, this is what I asked with regard to taxes. Next, regarding who will lead the discussions, these are discussions after all and this depends on one's perspective. I believe discussions on taxes have already started and will continue to be held daily.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Slightly changing the subject, I understand that a work plan concerning operations in South Sudan was decided today. With clashes between the government army and armed insurgents still continuing in South Sudan, I would like to once again ask how you recognize the danger associated with the dispatch of the personnel. Also, can you describe how you view the relationship between South Sudan and Sudan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe I have spoken about the situation in South Sudan on a number of occasions. As I have been saying, the personnel will be dispatched to Juba and the neighboring areas for the peacekeeping operations (PKO). I believe that while there are general crimes in Juba and the neighboring areas, respectively, the security situation is generally stable, peace is maintained, and calmness is kept. And then regarding is the area bordering Sudan, in this vicinity, there have been sporadic events, including air strikes on a refugee camp and clashes with armed insurgents. However, this area where such events unfolded is quite a distance away from Juba. Presently, we believe that there is a low probability that these events will have direct spillover effects on Juba or have an impact on the overall security situation in South Sudan.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A moment ago, in relation to the PKO in South Sudan, you discussed the skirmishes in South Sudan and the situation of the armed conflicts. However, can you describe how you view the relationship between the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe I spoke holistically about this a moment ago. In other words, there are a number of such events taking place near the border. However, as to whether or not such events equate to conflicts, our opinion is that they do not. Our view is that these are sporadic events and that there is a low probability that these events will have a direct impact on the overall security situation in South Sudan.

(Abridged)