Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved eight general measures, as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Okada made a statement concerning the policy relating to regulatory and systemic reform. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism made a statement on personnel matters relating to the head of an independent administrative agency. Prime Minister Noda made a statement concerning acting Ministers during the period when Ministers in charge are away on an overseas visit.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Furukawa made a statement concerning the policy relating to regulatory and systemic reform.

Q&As

• Press reports on Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations
• The cyber-attack incident last year against the Houses of Representatives and Councilors
• The policy relating to the regulatory and systemic reform toward the early launch of Japan-EU EPA negotiations

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, about which there have been a number of press reports suggesting that a formal announcement on participation in the TPP negotiations (by Japan) will be made during August and will inform countries concerned. What are the facts behind these press reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the press reports. With regard to the TPP the Government has been constantly engaged in efforts to gather information as to what the countries concerned would expect from Japan.  In addition, with regard to participation in the TPP negotiations, a conclusion will be reached through sufficient national debate and from the viewpoint of our national interests. Currently it is not the case that any significant matter has advanced further than previously. The Government will make a decision at a stage when domestic discussion and consultations with the countries concerned have been finalized.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the incident last year where computers in the House of Representatives and House of Councilors were subject to cyber-attacks, there are press reports that one of the destinations for the stolen information was the e-mail address of a former Chinese graduate student. This former graduate student apparently has links to the Chinese People's Liberation Army. What is the Government's recognition about the facts of this case and what response is being made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all, as this is an individual case, I will refrain from commenting on specific content with regard to what the Government is aware of. In general terms, in the case that damage due to a cyber-attack is confirmed, the police authorities would normally engage in investigations to further clarify the facts of the matter, seeking cooperation in the form of submission of evidence from those concerned and exchanging information with national intelligence agencies of other countries. The Cabinet Secretariat and other related ministries and agencies will continue to liaise and will seek to further promote measures designed to prevent damage from cyber-attacks.

REPORTER: Could you tell us about the comments by Minister Furukawa in discussions following the Cabinet meeting today?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The matter on which Minister Furukawa spoke has been approved by the Cabinet. The Cabinet decision sets out a policy relating to regulatory and systemic reform that will contribute to the rebirth and renewal of the Japanese economy and society, in order to realize a new, robust, and energized Japan. This new policy also includes a large number of revisions that respond to interests expressed by the European Union (EU), and comes at an important stage in the run-up to the launch of negotiations on an economic partnership agreement (EPA). Minister Furukawa, as the joint chair of the Ministerial Meeting for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and Economic Partnership Agreements, made a statement concerning the outcomes of regulatory and systemic reforms, and expressed his intention to make every effort towards the early lauch of Japan-EU EPA negotiations together with other Cabinet colleagues.