Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have two items to report concerning (1) instructions issued concerning rice planting restrictions for 2012 and advance shipment restrictions on rice produced in 2012, and (2) instructions concerning the disposal of livestock in newly established zones (in the vicinity of the nuclear power station). Today, in accordance with Article 20, Paragraph 3 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, it was decided to implement rice planting restrictions  and impose advance shipment restrictions for rice grown in certain areas of Fukushima Prefecture in 2012. Instructions to this effect have been communicated to the governor of Fukushima Prefecture. Specifically, the areas subject to the restrictions are all or part of 15 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture, which have been designated as areas subject to restrictions on rice planting for 2012; and all or part of 11 municipalities, which have been designated as areas subject to advance shipment restrictions on rice grown in 2012, where all rice is to be duly managed and all bags of rice to be subjected to inspection. The scope of the areas subject to restrictions is in accordance with the policy set out recently (February 28) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and is the same as those areas announced by MAFF on March 9, the designation of which was based on responses received from the municipalities concerned.

In addition, today, in accordance with Article 20, Paragraph 3 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, it was decided to change the instructions that were issued to the governor of Fukushima Prefecture on May 12 last year, concerning the euthanization of livestock in the Restricted Area around TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. In specific terms, although the euthanization of livestock within the Restricted Area will continue in principle, following the re-designation of new  zones, livestock owners who are now able to travel into the  zones (within a radius of 20 km of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station) will be permitted to rear livestock, pursuant to specific conditions, including the marking of each animal and restrictions on the shipment, transportation and breeding of animals in the zones.

For further details about the two items I have reported, please direct your questions to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Q&As

• Government's proposal to appoint a new member of the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan
• The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement
• Possible "satellite" launch by North Korea
• Impressive news stories in 2011

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In the plenary meeting of the House of Councilors a moment ago, the Government's proposal to appoint Mr. Ryutaro Kono as a new member of the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan could not be agreed. How will the Government respond to this matter going forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Mr. Kono was proposed because the Government considered him to have a high degree of expertise in economic and financial matters as well as a broad perspective, and it is regrettable that agreement could not be reached on his appointment. There are currently two positions that are unfilled on the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan, which a second nomination having yet to be made. There has been a situation in the past when the Policy Board has been short of two members and it will not have an immediate effect on the convening of meetings of the board. However, the current situation is not ideal and the Government seeks to achieve a resolution in the short term.

REPORTER: According to the opposition parties, who opposed the appointment of Mr. Kono, their criticisms were due to the observation that Mr. Kono has a negative stance with regard to monetary  easing, which they stated did not match the current economic situation in which it is important to aim to escape from a deflationary spiral. Similar criticisms were voiced within the ruling parties. Will these criticisms result in the next proposed candidate for the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan being someone who is not so openly negative on monetary easing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Government seeks to make a comprehensive decision on two new candidates for the Policy Board, giving specific consideration to persons who have a high degree of expertise in economic and financial matters and are possessed of a broad perspective.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. At the current point the Government's language is indicative of its intention to enter into consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations, however, if  the current consultations on entry into the TPP negotiations advance, and if it is ultimately the case that the Government decides to participate in negotiations, has a policy already been decided  within the Government concerning how to incorporate the ruling party's opinions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In response to your question, no policy has yet been decided, however, the project team meets each week to discuss the status of the prior consultations, with a view to providing the fullest information possible on the current status.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today, in anticipation of the launching of the "satellite" by North Korea, training using the J-ALERT system was implemented in 26 municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture. However, a number of glitches and problems have been reported with the system. Could you tell us about the results of the training?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I will give you a detailed report. The J-ALERT system was subject to a broadcast test. This test took place on two occasions between 11:00am and 11:30am on April 5. The bodies implementing the broadcast test were 26 municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture, which implemented an automatic announcement, using the disaster prevention public address radio network in the prefecture. According to reports from the municipalities in the prefecture, the broadcast was not successfully relayed-in other words, no sound was broadcast-in five municipalities at the time of the first test, and in four municipalities at the time of the second test. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) has contacted these municipalities to investigate the cause of the fault and implement system improvements, and I naturally feel that a further test will be required. I believe that the FDMA will be giving a press briefing on this issue this evening.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association implemented a campaign, asking elementary and junior high school students to write in with their thoughts on the news stories in 2011 that made them happy and the prize winners have been announced today. On a related note, although last year was the year in which the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, when you look back on the news during 2011 is there any particular story or event that made an impression on you for giving strength and hope to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The victory in the summer of the Japan Women's National Football Team (Nadeshiko Japan) in the FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 and the subsequent presentation of the National Honor Award to the team was just such a news story. I have an interest in football myself, and the private sector organization, Ashinaga, which I am involved in, has recently sent a "Nadeshiko Junior" team from the Tohoku region to play a friendly match with a girl's football team in Brazil. The people in Brazil have been tremendously supportive to the eastern Japan region and there is a deep bond of friendship between the two countries. I therefore think that the football-related news this year was something that gave joy to the people.

(Abridged)