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 4 general measures and the promulgation of treaties, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Motohisa Furukawa made a statement concerning the Fiscal 2012 Economic Outlook and Basic Stance for Economic and Fiscal Management. The Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement concerning the addition of lists for the measures to freeze the assets of government officials and entities in Syria. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the Report Pursuant to the Provision of Paragraph 1 of Article 106-25 of the National Public Service Act, Etc. Prime Minister Noda made a statement concerning the temporary acting Prime Minister while the Prime Minister is on an overseas visit.

Also, I would like to speak about Prime Minister Noda's visit to India. Prime Minister Noda will be visiting India as a state guest from Tuesday, December 27, to Thursday, December 29. Every year the leaders of both countries have been taking turns to make reciprocal visits. During the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to India, I expect that the leaders will further strengthen the relationship of trust with each other as well as hold an exchange of views on cooperation in a wide range of areas in light of next year's celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, and that an array of achievements will be made toward deepening the Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India.

In addition, I would like to speak about a personnel decision made at today's Cabinet meeting. Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau Shinichiro Kajita has vacated his position, and as his successor, Deputy Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau Tsuneyuki Yamamoto was appointed, effective today. The Prime Minister gave him a letter of assignment a moment ago. For around two years, Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau Kajita has supported three Cabinets from the Hatoyama Cabinet to the Noda Cabinet on legislative matters by reviewing the bills brought before the Cabinet and interpreting the laws and ordinances. Mr. Kajita's successor, Mr. Yamamoto, has previously held the posts of Director-General of the Third Department and Director-General of the First Department of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau and assumed the post of Deputy Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau in January of last year. We believe he is the appropriate person for Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau.

Q&As

REPORTER: My question concerns sanctions against North Korea, a topic which slightly came up during this morning's press conference. You have said that the possibility of sanctions will be considered if and when North Korea conducts some sort of action that would prompt consideration. Does this policy remain unchanged?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Japan's policy is to implement sanctions against North Korea to demonstrate Japan's strong intention to resolve the various concerns, such as the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues, and that by steadily implementing sanctions, it is important to make North Korea understand that it is in their own interest to show forward-looking and sincere efforts to resolve the issues. In light of the purpose of the sanctions, the Japanese Government arrived at the belief that the unfolding situation of the death of Chairman Kim Jong-Il of the National Defense Commission does not warrant a special situation for Japan to modify the existing Japanese sanctions against North Korea.

(Abridged)