Home > News > Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary > March 2012 > Thursday, March 15, 2012 (PM)
Thursday, March 15, 2012 (PM)
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
[Provisional Translation]
Q&As
(Abridged)
REPORTER: The Chinese captain of the fishing vessel that was involved in the collision incident close to the Senkaku Islands faces mandatory indictment. What is the Government's view of this matter?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that today the Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution has announced that the Chinese captain of the fishing vessel was indicted by the designated attorney, based on a decision for institution of prosecution. As this is an individual case being implemented under the authority of the designated attorney, I would like to refrain from making any comment with regard to the Government's view on this matter.
REPORTER: On a related note, does the Government consider that there was an issue with the original release of the fishing vessel captain out of consideration for Japan-China relations?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have responded to this question in the Diet Budget Affairs Committee and I would like to repeat my response here that the decision in this case was made by the prosecuting authorizes based on domestic laws and the evidence available. The Government view is that the decision that was made was an appropriate one.
(Abridged)
REPORTER: With regard to the disposal of the debris created by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the other day the city of Shimada in Shizuoka Prefecture conducted an incineration trial and based on the results the city has recently announced formally its intention to accept debris from the disaster-affected areas. What is the Government's response to this news?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The mayor of Shimada City has indicated in a press conference that the city will accept approximately 5,000 tons of debris for incineration annually until all the debris shall be cleared, and the Government is extremely grateful that Shimada City has come to this decision. The Prime Minister will be sending out written requests to all prefectures concerning the disposal of debris and waste created due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and it is the Government's hope that as many municipalities as possible will accept debris for disposal.
(Abridged)
