Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved seven general measures and also draft bills and personnel decisions.

Prior to the Cabinet Meeting the second meeting of the Headquarters for Administrative Reform Implementation was held, attended by all Cabinet ministers. Two issues were raised at the meeting, namely "Measures to Control New Recruitment of National Public Servants in FY2013," and "Revisions to Provision of Living Accommodation for Personnel of Independent Administrative Agencies." Explanations were provided about how these two measures would be advanced and realized in the future, and the cooperation of all ministers was requested. I believe that Deputy Prime Minister Okada will be giving further details in his press conference.

Q&As

(Abridged)

REPORTER: There have been press reports that the first Japan-Russia Summit Meeting with President-elect Putin is being scheduled for mid-May. What are the facts of this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have seen the press reports, but this is a matter that is still some time ahead of us. It is the case that yesterday Prime Minister Noda held telephone talks with Prime Minister Putin, in which he conveyed his congratulations on the election victory. The telephone talks included Prime Minister Noda stressing the importance of Japan's relations with Russia. I think that a press release was issued on this. In terms of when the first Japan-Russia Summit Meeting will take place, I believe that the G8 Summit is scheduled to be held on May 18 and 19 in the United States, so this could be what the press reports were referring to. However, it is not yet the case that a bilateral summit meeting has been coordinated.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday in a lecture given by Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nagashima, it was noted that in the event that a situation occurred in which the Straits of Hormuz were closed, a Special Measures Act would need to be compiled, assuming that cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties could be achieved. If cooperation was not realized, he stated that minesweeping operations and maritime security activities could be implemented under the current legislation. What is the current status of the Government's considerations on this issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Mr. Nagashima came to see me earlier today in which he has pointed out that there are some mistakes in the press reports regarding his comments. To state accurately, the Government is not currently considering a Special Measures Act, nor is it compiling a response plan. With regard to the response to the situation regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, as I have said previously, the Government as a whole should concentrate on collaborating with the international community towards the realization of a peaceful and diplomatic solution. At the current stage, the Government does not recognize the situation to be one that requires a response by the Self-Defense Forces. If such a necessity arose, as I have stated on a number of occasions in the past, an appropriate response would be made based on the circumstances. Special Advisor Nagashima did not intend to make any statement that is at variance from the basic stance of the Government.

REPORTER: On a related note, does the Government consider that the current situation in Iran could develop into a military clash, assuming that the Straits of Hormuz were closed, for example?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is the case that there are various opinions on this matter, given the various information that is being gathered. I repeat that at the current stage the Government does not recognize the situation to be one that requires a response by the Self-Defense Forces.