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 11 general measures and also cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Minister of Justice and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology each made statements concerning the results of a policy assessment on measures to expand the number of people in the legal profession in Japan and reforms to the system to nurture the legal profession. I made a statement concerning temporary acting ministers while ministers are away on overseas visits.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister of the Environment made a statement concerning the implementation of the "Cool Biz" campaign. Minister Kawabata also made a statement concerning the wearing of Okinawa kariyushi shirts during the Cool Biz campaign. I made a statement concerning overseas official visits to be made by ministers during the Golden Week holiday period.

I have one more item to report concerning the implementation of the annual Cool Biz campaign. Today, there was a statement by the Minister of the Environment in ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting and, as was also the case last year, it was decided to move forward the starting date for Cool Biz by one month compared to usual, meaning that the Cool Biz period will begin from May. The end of the Cool Biz period has also been extended by one month, until the end of October, similarly to last year. This decision has been made on the basis of the necessity to implement power saving methods and raise awareness about power saving in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, in addition to the usual stated purpose of Cool Biz, which is intended as a measure to counter global warming. In the ministerial discussions, in conjunction with the decision to move forward the Cool Biz period, the Minister of State for Okinawa requested Cabinet members to consider Okinawan kariyushi shirts as one apparel option during the campaign period. For details pertaining to Cool Biz, please direct your questions to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE).

Q&As

• The forthcoming Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting (in relation to the issue of "comfort women")
• North Korea (remains thought to be of Japanese people who stayed in North Korea after WWII)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Summit that is scheduled to be held in May. In the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting held at the end of last year, Prime Minister Noda stated with regard to the issue of wartime "comfort women" that "Japan has made humanitarian efforts on this issue and would also try to explore ideas from a humanitarian point of view." Subsequently President Lee Myung-bak stated at the end of March that he wished to resolve it as a humanitarian issue. That is the current situation, but could you provide us with an explanation about the current status of considerations by the Japanese Government and also the status of consultations with the ROK?

(Abridged)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that an article has been written in the Hokkaido Shimbun, but to be honest I do not understand what the article is trying to describe when it refers to "the Japanese Government seeking a comprehensive resolution." Japan and the ROK are engaged in discussions as and when necessary about a variety of issues. Although from time to time there may be difficult issues that arise in Japan-ROK relations, given the importance of continuing to make efforts by both sides to ensure the development of our bilateral relationship from a broad perspective, the fact of the matter is that the two governments engage in various discussions as and when necessary.

REPORTER: Has the Government made any specific attempts towards resolving the "comfort women" issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I have just stated, the two governments are engaged in discussions on various issues as and when necessary, and as these are diplomatic issues I will refrain from going into details.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning relations with North Korea. It has been reported that Ambassador Song Il-ho has informed a delegation of Japanese reporters in North Korea that remains thought to be of Japanese people who stayed in North Korea following the end of the Second World War have been found within the city limits of Pyongyang. He has also reportedly stated that if Japan seeks the repatriation of these remains, he would respond to such a request. What is the Government's view of this statement and what response will be made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: No information or notification concerning this intention has been received directly by the Government. Naturally we will take on board the statement by the ambassador and consider a course of action.