Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• The results of the reelection in Greece

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to read out one announcement. It is about the results of the reelection in Greece. With regard to the election result, it appears that the New Democracy party, which formerly participated in a grand coalition, is ahead of the Coalition of the Radical Left, which voiced their opposition against austerity measures, and will become the leading party. The Government of Japan wants to closely pay attention to the coalition negotiations going forward. Japan expects that a stable administration will be inaugurated at an early date and that initiatives aimed at market stabilization will make progress. We expect European countries to swiftly engage in financial sector strengthening and other initiatives. Countries should work to stabilize market oscillations in cooperation with each other, and I look forward to the G20 leaders at the Los Cabos Summit issuing a firm political message.

Q&As

• The launch of China's spacecraft and Japan's space policy
• A public rally in Okinawa Prefecture against the deployment of Ospreys of the U.S. forces

REPORTER: This past weekend, there was the launch of China's spacecraft, Shenzhou-9. This marked the fourth manned space mission for China. What are the Japanese Government's thoughts on the current space efforts of China? Also, I would like to ask one more question. In the case of Japan, particularly in the case of manned space missions, I believe Japan has so far conducted these missions jointly with the United States (U.S.). Why doesn't Japan carry out missions independently? Is there any possibility that Japan will conduct its own manned space mission in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of this from the news reports. For Japan as well, space policy is without a doubt given importance as a national strategy. And with regard to manned space activities, there is the so-called International Space Station program. This is being carried out by the U.S., Russia, Europe, and Japan. Through participation in this program, Japan will carry out space activities based on international cooperation.

REPORTER: How do you evaluate China's space initiatives?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As China is very independent and is not participating in the International Space Station program, I will not make any particular comments right here, right now.

REPORTER: Yesterday, there was a public rally in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture against the deployment of Ospreys in Okinawa Prefecture. Approximately five thousand several hundred people gathered and raised their doubts and protested against the deployment of Ospreys. What are your thoughts on the fact that this many people gathered for this public rally? Also, can you tell us whether, based on this rally, there are any plans to inform the U.S. side about making changes to the deployment plan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the rally in Okinawa yesterday. We have to fully accept the fact that there are a range of opinions. And with another new accident having occurred involving Osprey, we are currently demanding the U.S. through various channels to swiftly provide information. However, today, at this moment in time, we have not yet obtained new information on the cause of the accident and so on. Meanwhile, the U.S. has expressed its intent to make maximum efforts to provide information as quickly as possible. In any event, based on the information provided by the U.S., we will, also in coordination with the relevant ministers, consider the response we will take going forward.

(Abridged)