Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• North Korea (possible missile launch)
• Courtesy call on the Chief Cabinet Secretary by Admiral Locklear, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding the issue of North Korea's missile, there are reports that North Korea has begun injecting fuel. What is the Government's current assessment of the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the reports. With regard to the developments relating to the launch of a missile which North Korea calls a "satellite" , the Government is working to collect and analyze information with grave concern, by establishing the Response  Office of the Prime Minister's Office at 1pm as I announced today, along with other efforts. I will refrain from commenting here on the contents of each specific information that has been obtained so far. The launch is forecasted to take place sometime after 7am tomorrow. So until April 16, the Government will continue to further gather and analyze information, and take all possible measures from the standpoint of ensuring peace and security in Japan. The Government will also take into consideration the need for proper dissemination of information to the people.

REPORTER: Related to this, regarding the Response Office of the Prime Minister's Office that has been established since 1pm and which came up in the discussions a moment ago, were any instructions given to the ministries in particular?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Every day there are various meetings being convened by the officials in charge. While I have not yet joined the meetings, the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management is the head of the Countermeasures Office and proper preparations are being made under his leadership.

REPORTER: Also with regard to North Korea, at the Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting Japan stated that it would ask to convene a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in the case of the launch. What are the Government's thoughts on the Security Council in the case of the launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: If North Korea goes ahead with the launch, this would be a clear violation of the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. The Government of Japan has consistently underscored that the repeated violations of the U.N. Security Council resolutions must be dealt with appropriately by the international community, including the Security Council, through Japan-U.S. coordination. I understand that the two sides agreed also on this matter.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Going back to the previous topic about the Government's response in the case of North Korea's missile launch, can you discuss whether the Government is considering the strengthening of sanctions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In the event of the launch, various discussions will first take place at the U.N. Security Council. Naturally, while keeping a close watch on the situations relevant to Japan, the Government will, from the viewpoint of what method is most effective for Japan to resolve the pending issues, while also of course bearing in mind the developments of the international community, continue to consider this and make a holistic decision with a sense of urgency. That is my response at this moment in time.

REPORTER: On a related topic, I believe you were meeting with Commander Samuel J. Locklear III of U.S. Pacific Command a moment ago. Although I understand that a press release will be issued later, can you discuss what kind of exchange of views took place? North Korea's missile...

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The press release hasn't been issued yet? I see. At the outset, I expressed Japan's gratitude for the tremendous support extended in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, including Operation Tomodachi. And I stated that the Japan-U.S. alliance is public goods of the Asia-Pacific region and that it is important that Japan and the United States (U.S.) take initiatives while sharing responsibility in responding to regional and global issues, beginning with the response to the current North Korean situation. Commander Locklear responded that strengthening Japan-U.S. relations is a high priority and that he is committed to taking steps to this end. We confirmed that the two sides have a shared understanding on the North Korean situation. Simultaneously, we concurred that both governments, in particular, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and U.S. Forces, will work together closely in responding to the launch of a missile which North Korea calls a "satellite."

(Abridged)