Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Comments relating to the TPP negotiations by the President of Japan Post Holdings
• Chinese government's consideration on the provision of crested ibises to Japan
• Procurement of the next-generation fighter jet, F-35 by the U.S.
• The upcoming Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit (FTA negotiations)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: President Jiro Saito of Japan Post Holdings stated in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun yesterday that for the time being Japan Post Holdings will refrain from offering cancer insurance, noting that he had no intention of standing in the way of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement negotiations in which the Government is involved while considering its participation. Was there any mention in today's meeting about the remarks made by Mr. Saito?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: No, there were no comments about this matter.

REPORTER: The matter about which President Saito has indicated that he does not wish to influence TPP negotiations is one of those that had been raised by President Obama, which were beef, automobiles and postal services. President Saito has indicated that he is therefore giving due consideration to one of the issues raised by President Obama. What is the Government's view of this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the press reports about this matter, however, I do not think that it is for me, as a representative of the Government to comment about the content of a press interview given by an executive of Japan Post Holdings. To date the Government has worked hard to ensure consistency with international treaties, including World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, and we will continue to make such efforts going forward.

REPORTER: On the topic of the crested ibis, it has recently been decided that for the first time in five years a new pair will be provided to Japan by China. Could you tell us the response of the Government and whether you have any information about if the Chinese government will mention the offer of the two birds in the Japan-China-Republic of Korea Trilateral Summit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At the time of the Japan-China Summit Meeting on December 25 last year, Premier Wen Jiabao stated that the Chinese government was actively considering the provision of crested ibises to Japan and it is the case that this matter is currently being coordinated between Japanese and Chinese authorities. Although the specific content has yet to be finalized, if China were to make a new presentation of ibises to Japan, this is something that we would welcome as a means of promoting mutual understanding between the people of both countries.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the next-generation fighter jet, the F-35. In a public Senate committee hearing in the United States it has been mentioned that the first phase of the procurement by Japan, for a total of four jets, is expected to be formally contracted in June. What are the facts of this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: This is a matter that has also been covered in responses to questions in the Diet. There is a plan to acquire a total of 42 F-35 jets from fiscal 2012 onwards and the four fighter jets that form the procurement quota for fiscal 2012 are set to be imported in their complete form, under the Foreign Military Sales program of the U.S. government. In order to complete the delivery of the four jets by the end of fiscal 2016, the U.S. government has indicated that it will be necessary to sign a document that is referred to as a Letter of Offer and Acceptance by the end of June. A request has been made to the U.S. government that the jets are delivered in accordance with the content of the proposal, and the contract schedule is for final delivery of the four jets by the end of fiscal 2016. For further details please direct your inquiries to the Ministry of Defense.

REPORTER: On a related note, in a recent report to Congress, the U.S. Department of Defense has stated that the total value of the procurement for the 42 jets is approximately 800 billion yen, which by simple calculation is more than double the estimate of the Japanese government, with a price tag of 19.2 billion yen per jet. In your opinion do you think that the delivery period and price of each unit can be maintained according to the original proposal?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I have just stated, the initial procurement phase is for four jets in fiscal 2012, which are scheduled for delivery by the end of fiscal 2016. A request will be submitted to the U.S. government that the delivery of the units is made in accordance with the proposal.

REPORTER: I have a question about the Japan-China-Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Summit. With regard to a free trade agreement (FTA), according to some press reports it is anticipated that an agreement will be reached to start negotiations by the end of the year. Does the Government expect that such an agreement will be reached at the upcoming summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The joint study conducted by government, industry and academia into a Japan-China-ROK FTA was concluded in December last year. Based on the recommendations contained in this joint study, the Government aims to reach an agreement on initiating high-level FTA negotiations. Our stance is that at the upcoming Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit, we will seek to engage in discussions on the way forward for early start of negotiations. I am aware that there have been some press reports in the ROK on this topic.

REPORTER: Is there any intention to clarify the specific timing for the launch of negotiations in the joint statement that will be issued following the Trilateral Summit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: That is something currently being coordinated among the governments.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the TPP agreement that was mentioned earlier. If Japan Post Holdings does in fact freeze for the time being its offering of cancer insurance, do you think that this will considerably improve the situation with regard to TPP negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Asahi Shimbun has stated such an opinion, but I do not believe it is necessary to respond to each individual issue. The issue of automobiles is a separate issue on which consultations are continuing in parallel, and the Government will continue to engage appropriately in these prior consultations, addressing respective issues.

(Abridged)