Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan's consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned
• The wide-area disposal of debris from disaster affected regions (acceptance by Kitakyushu City)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. Following a decision by Mexico, Canada has also decided to participate in the TPP negotiations, leaving Japan alone in not yet announcing a decision to participate. What is the reason a decision by the Japanese Government is taking this amount of time and what efforts will be made to come to a decision as we move forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand that both Mexico and Canada have concluded bilateral negotiations with the United States and that all nine participating countries have approved the participation of these two countries in negotiations. In terms of Japan's consultations with the United States toward participating in the TPP negotiations, at the Japan-United States Summit Meeting held at the end of April it was confirmed by both sides that efforts would be made to advance bilateral consultations. Japan will continue to engage in and advance consultations with all countries concerned, including the United States, towards participating in the TPP negotiations. To date the Government of the United States has provided explanations about areas, such as automobiles and insurance, in which Congress and interested parties have a strong interest, and consultations in these and other areas are ongoing. The Government seeks to advance consultations in a prompt manner with the countries concerned, including the United States. I believe there was some informal conversation on this issue between Prime Minister Noda and President Obama when they met recently.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the disposal of debris created by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Today the mayor of Kitakyushu City, Mr. Kenji Kitahashi, announced that Kitakyushu City will accept debris from the disaster-affected areas for disposal, the first local government in Western Japan to do so. What is the response of the Government to this announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to express my respect and appreciation to Mayor Kitahashi and the people of Kitakyushu City for arriving at this decision following due consideration and probably a process of trial and error too. I believe that other local governments are engaged in similar considerations and I hope that the number of municipalities that accept debris will continue to increase.

REPORTER: Kitakyushu City has strong concerns about the impact of reputational damages relating to the disposal of debris, including the self-imposed restraint of the organization of an elementary school visit by pupils from Matsuyama City [, Ehime Prefecture]. What responses to such reputational damages is the Government considering at the current point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: With regard to the wide-area disposal of debris, a ministerial meeting has been created, with the Prime Minister leading efforts to request cooperation across the country. In addition, the Ministry of the Environment is engaging in consultations to seek understanding in various regions. Given the fact that the wide-area disposal is not yet running at 100%, the Government's position is to seek nationwide understanding concerning disposal and request cooperation for the wide-area disposal of debris from Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in particular.

(Abridged)