Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, I would like to speak about Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's attendance at the G8 Camp David Summit. Prime Minister Noda is expected to visit the United States (U.S.) to attend the G8 Camp David Summit from Friday, May 18, to Sunday, May 20, if circumstances permit. The G8 Summit is a forum at which the leaders of the major developed countries gather together to hold a candid exchange of views on global issues and lead international initiatives. At this year's Camp David Summit, U.S. President Barack Obama will serve as the Chair, and discussions are expected to take place on wide-ranging issues, including regional and political situations and the world economy. Prime Minister Noda is intent on making proactive contributions to the discussions. In addition, arrangements are now being made regarding meetings on the sidelines of the G8 Summit with France's new President Francois Hollande and the leaders of the European Union (EU), President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jos? Manuel Barosso, among others.

I have one other announcement, which is that before tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, a joint meeting of the Electricity Supply-Demand Review Meeting chaired by myself and the Energy and Environment Council chaired by the Minister for National Policy is scheduled to be held at a meeting room inside the Prime Minister's Office. At the meeting, relevant ministers are expected to discuss this summer's electricity supply-demand measures, in accordance with the "guidelines for reviewing the electricity supply-demand measures for this summer based on the report of the Electricity Supply-Demand Verification Committee," which were approved at the meeting on May 14.

Q&As

(Abridged)