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Friday, February 10, 2012 (PM)
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
[Provisional Translation]
Q&As
(Abridged)
REPORTER: I have a question regarding Takeshima. The prefecture plans to hold a ceremony for the forthcoming Takeshima Day on February 22, and invitations have been sent out to the ministers concerned. Can you tell us whether you intend to attend or not?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The invitation has arrived. Last year, I was the Deputy Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), and I recall that the DPJ office in Shimane Prefecture and others dealt with this matter. In the case of last year, I understand that no one from the Government attended the ceremony. This is something that will be thought about in the days ahead.
REPORTER: I have a related question. The prefecture and the communities are requesting that the Government establish an organization that will be responsible for all territorial issues, including Takeshima. What is the status of the considerations on this?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: This has also been raised at previous meetings of the committee. There is an organization for the Northern Territories issue as well, and given the circumstances, I believe this is a matter that will be considered carefully.
(Abridged)
REPORTER: At today's meeting of the Budget Committee, information has come to light about when Minister of Finance Jun Azumi instructed the start and end of the market intervention last fall and the level (of the exchange rate). The Minister's response has raised criticisms from the opposition parties. Do you believe it was appropriate?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I was also present at the meeting, and I believe there was nothing to indicate that the Minister disclosed the level. From what I have been told afterwards, the Minister was no more than citing the rate on the day prior to the date of intervention and the rate on the day after the last day of intervention, which were written on the material distributed at the meeting place by Diet member Yasutoshi Nishimura. I understand that intervention was not carried out with a specific level in mind. Later, I believe the Minister, too, has explained that he was not looking at the board which Mr. Nishimura was pointing to, that he had only explained what was written on the board and that he wasn't referring to some sort of level.
(Abridged)
