Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The postponement of the signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA)
• The investigation findings on protection of confidentiality in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for a case involving the former Chinese diplomat in Tokyo
• The deployment of Osprey aircraft to Okinawa
• The establishment of Cyber Incident Mobil Assistant Team (CYMAT)

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), which was scheduled for today, has been postponed. Can you explain the reason?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand that around now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will also be giving a press conference. This morning, I stated that the signing will take place "this afternoon." However, this afternoon, Minister of the Embassy of the ROK in Tokyo contacted the Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs and said that it wished to postpone the signing. Based on what I have been told from MOFA, the ROK has decided to postpone the signing for some time to come due to its domestic situation. Regarding further details on the contents, I ask that you please direct your questions to MOFA.

REPORTER: According to the Government's view, what is the impact of the postponement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: So, as I said, it was postponed due to the ROK's domestic situation. We had expected to sign the agreement by the end of today. It is regrettable.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the leakage of confidential documents concerning the export program of agricultural products to China, which the former First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Japan was involved with. The investigation team of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has announced its investigation findings. The findings point out that it is highly likely that Mr. Nobutaka Tsutsui, the previous Senior Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, was involved, although the findings state that this could not be confirmed. First, can you discuss the Government's thoughts on MAFF's investigation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I was aware that the findings of the investigations would be released today. And I understand it was stated that they were "mid-term" findings. Therefore, in addition to the mid-term findings, based on the investigation findings, I believe MAFF still needs to conduct further investigations based on sources such as the information provided. Another item which was announced today was about the arrangements regarding the exhibition pavilion program. Another team will be established to review its future arrangements. The review will be taking place from now on, and in this sense, we will be monitoring this closely.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The investigation was an internal investigation conducted by MAFF. Will you not be considering other investigation approaches, for example, investigations conducted by third-party experts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that MAFF is also aware of the necessity to consider other forms of investigation. I believe a variety of exchanges took place for about two hours today during the briefing. While I am not aware of the exchanges in detail, I believe based on these exchanges, MAFF will make some sort of consideration.

REPORTER: My question is on Osprey. A moment ago, the United States (U.S.) provided host nation notification to Japan and explained that Osprey will not fly in Japan until the results of the investigations of the accidents are presented. What are the thoughts of the Government on this measure, including whether understanding can be obtained from Okinawa Prefecture, which is against the deployment?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have been informed that in providing this host nation notification, Japan and the U.S. have been conducting a range of coordination based on local concerns among others. As a result, I understand that as you mentioned just now, the U.S. provided the notification, attached with a press release, to the effect that until the safety of flight operations is reconfirmed, the U.S. will refrain from all flight operations of Osprey in Japan, including preparatory flights at Air Station Iwakuni where the aircraft will be unloaded. The Government of course will continue to request the U.S. to provide further results of the investigations of the accidents and other information, and once information is obtained, will provide swift and careful explanations to the local people. Also, I understand that using tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, that is, using Saturday and Sunday, Minister of Defense Satoshi Morimoto will go to Okinawa and provide an explanation, including an explanation on the latest information.  We will be providing careful explanations based on these procedures.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe a ceremony will be held after this for the launching of CYMAT. Can you discuss the aim of CYMAT's launch, and in launching CYMAT, what improvements will be made to the conventional system?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: CYMAT is the acronym for Cyber Incident Mobile Assistant Team, and this team will be established today. Since last year, a variety of government agencies as well as the private sector have been exposed to cyber attacks and other risks. These attacks have been under review until today, during which time, I also have proposed that this kind of mobile team is necessary. A decision was then made to launch CYMAT today. In order to provide mobile assistance in response to incidents such as cyber attacks, it was decided that CYMAT will be comprised of personnel from all government ministries and agencies. This is the first initiative of its kind in Japan. With CYMAT's establishment, if an incident, for example, a cyber attack occurs, CYMAT will then provide mobile assistance through the partnership of government ministries and agencies, cutting across their barriers, under the leadership of the head of the Government's National Information Security Center (NISC). CYMAT is designed to go to the government organization which has come under cyber attack and other threats, to prevent the expansion of damage or to support or provide advice for recovery. Under this new initiative, the team will participate in trainings and drills daily or routinely to be able to provide appropriate support and advice.

REPORTER: Is it anticipated that the team will provide support in response to damages incurred by the incidents related to "Anonymous", for example those on the Ministry of Finance and the Supreme Court?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The eligibility for CYMAT's assistance is not restricted. Based on the circumstances of the time, the team will go to various organizations if necessary and provide assistance and advice. I believe the cases you just mentioned are also applicable.

REPORTER: Related to this, a moment ago, you said, "I also have proposed." Can you briefly explain around when and to whom you made this proposal?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: We have long been holding meetings of the Information Security Measures Promotion Conference. CYMAT's operational guidelines were ultimately compiled at the meeting held on June 20. I believe it was two to three months before this that I made the statement that a mobile support mechanism of some kind was necessary.

(Abridged)