Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Negotiations on the general security of military information agreement between Japan and the ROK
• The announcement indicating cyber-attacks on the Government of Japan by "Anonymous" and some incidents
• The bills related to the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems
• Seizure of a vessel off the coast of Kunashiri in the Northern Territories by the Russian authority which seems to be with two Japanese crew members

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to press reports this morning in the Republic of Korea (ROK), the general security of military information agreement between Japan and the ROK, which has been pending to date, is likely to be concluded by the end of the week. What are the facts of this matter and what will be the significance of the conclusion of the agreement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the press reports you mentioned. Negotiations on this agreement have been steadily implemented to date, and it is a fact that they are now in the final stages. Coordination is currently ongoing towards an early signing of the agreement. The agreement itself will be of tremendous significance, and I would like to respond to this question at such time as the agreement is actually concluded.

REPORTER: With regard to the case in which an unauthorized person or persons altered and defaced part of the website of the Ministry of Finance, there are some opinions that the international hacking group Anonymous was involved. What are the facts of this matter and what is the Government's understanding of the situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all, there was an announcement indicating that there would be a cyber-attack on the Government of Japan and other organizations by Anonymous. The relationship between this announcement and the actual anomalies that occurred on certain sites is not clear. The facts of the matter are that yesterday it was discovered that information not related to the websites had been placed on the web servers of the Ministry of Finance and the Kasumigaura River Office, Kanto Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The offending files have since been deleted. In addition, the websites of the Supreme Court and the Intellectual Property High Court were difficult to access for approximately one hour yesterday evening, but proper service has since been restored. The causes of these incidents are currently subject to a detailed investigation by the appropriate authorities. There has been no confirmation of a computer virus infection or the leaking of information. Upon receiving the announcement from Anonymous, yesterday the Cabinet Secretariat issued a warning about the situation to all ministries and agencies, and issued advance information concerning a rapid response in the event that an incident occurred. A response to these kinds of cyber-attacks is also an important challenge in terms of national crisis management. The Government will refer to this current incident and will seek to further enhance and strengthen its measures across all government organizations with regard to information security.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the bills related to the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems. A total of 57 Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) members voted against the bills and there were also some abstentions and absences from the floor of the House of Representatives. Do you consider that it will be possible to take concerted actions going forward with all these Diet members who opposed the bills, which are positioned as one of the priority issues of the Noda Administration?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all, it is truly regrettable that there were so many dissenters, if that is the correct word to use, from among the ruling party. As Prime Minister Noda stated in his press conference yesterday evening, this is a matter for the DPJ to decide on how to proceed and not something about which the Government should make a statement. As Prime Minister Noda himself stated last evening, the matter of the dissenters will be dealt with sternly, in accordance with party rules, and my understanding is that the matter will be left to the discretion of Prime Minister Noda, in his capacity as President of the DPJ, and Secretary General Koshiishi of the DPJ.

REPORTER: Do you believe that as ruling party Diet members these dissenters can continue to work together with the party, given that they opposed against the most important policy platform for the Noda Administration?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Your question was made from the position of the ruling party. As for the Government's stance, we will continue to pay due attention to the situation, with the hope that the party will thoroughly respond to the situation.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday, off the coast of Kunashiri in the Northern Territories, it appears that a vessel, including two Japanese crew members, was seized. What are the facts of this matter and what is the Government's response?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all I will state the facts of this case. At approximately 2:00pm on June 26 (Japan time), the Sakhalin Coast Guard Border Department of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation reported to the Consulate-General of Japan at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk that a vessel, including two crew members of Japanese nationality, had been seized off the northwestern coast of Kunashiri. The details are currently being confirmed. What we know at the present time is that the incident occurred shortly after 1:00am on June 26 (Japan time) off the northwestern coast of Kunashiri. The flag of registry of the vessel and its name are currently being confirmed. With regard to the status of the two Japanese nationals, they have been transferred to Furukamappu on Kunashiri and are in good health. However, contact has yet to be established with these two people and it is still unclear who they are. First of all, the Government is currently engaged in the necessary communications with the Russian authorities in order to confirm and ensure the safety of the Japanese nationals concerned.

REPORTER: So will you be seeking the release of these two people through diplomatic channels?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Government is currently making the necessary communications with the Russian Government.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Yesterday, in relation to Osprey, the Ministry of Defense disclosed the contents of the explanation provided to Japan [by the U.S.]. In the discussion, the Minister of Defense stated something to the effect that unless there is additional information, it is difficult to give an explanation to the local communities and to request their cooperation. On the other hand, he also said that if necessary, he himself will go (to Okinawa) swiftly and explain directly. What is the current outlook regarding the schedule of future ministerial meetings or the timing for requesting the cooperation of local communities?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: To answer your question, at this time no conclusion has been reached yet on our response going forward, and I believe it is just as the Minister of Defense explained yesterday. We will follow-up by strongly requesting the United States (U.S.) to provide new and further information, and based on that, the relevant ministers will consider the response.

REPORTER: Related to this, according to some reports, the U.S. intends to make a formal "notification to the host country" as early as June 29. My question is, is it possible that the U.S. will notify Japan before providing this new information?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe the reports are based on statements made by the U.S. side. As I stated a moment ago, the Minister of Defense also indicated that the information we currently have is still not sufficient as explanation materials for the local communities, and so we will strongly request the U.S. to provide further and new information. Based on that, the relevant ministers will consider the response. That is the current situation.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding this matter, what are your thoughts on the Osprey deployment plan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand this is basically a change in equipment that is taking place within the U.S. forces. We do not have any questions or doubts regarding the deployment plan itself. At this point in time, no conclusion of any kind has been reached in the wake of the accidents in Morocco and within the U.S., and the relevant ministers will continue to carefully consider the matter. That is what I can say at this moment in time.

REPORTER: Yesterday, a Taiwanese official vessel temporarily entered Japan's territorial waters off the coast of Taisho Island in Senkaku. I believe it is quite unprecedented for an official vessel to enter the waters. Can you discuss your thoughts on this and also about any protests or regarding Japan's response?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe this happened yesterday, during the vessel's so-called normal navigation. Of course we contacted the Taiwanese official vessel, and thereafter, the vessel left the territorial waters. I understand nothing exceptional took place in particular.

REPORTER: Going back to the earlier discussion on the cyber attacks, I believe the Government attaches considerable importance to partnerships with the private sector. Is there anything you are aware of with regard to any damages incurred by those in the private sector?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At this time, no such information has reached the team at the Prime Minister's Office. However, I believe the possibility of something like that happening in the future, on a widespread basis, is not zero.

REPORTER: I believe there was interference of some kind also at the political parties.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In the sense of the private sector, you are right, political parties are indeed the private sector. I have been informed that last night, in the middle of the night, the websites of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan were a little difficult to view, similar to the website of the Courts of Japan. The police, too, are already aware of this.