Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Chinese fishing patrol vessels' entering into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands

REPORTER: My question concerns the intrusion of Chinese fishing patrol vessels into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands this morning. Can you confirm the facts and describe the response of the Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Let me explain this briefly. Around 4am today, a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) patrol vessel confirmed a Chinese fishing patrol vessel, Yuzheng 35001, which was navigating the contiguous zone near Kuba Island of the Senkaku Islands. Thereafter, the JCG patrol vessel confirmed that Yuzheng 202 and Yuzheng 204 were navigating the contiguous zone. The JCG patrol vessel was responding to the situation on site when the three Chinese fishing patrol vessels entered Japanese territorial waters in order, respectively. The JCG patrol vessel immediately requested the Chinese vessels to swiftly exit Japanese territorial waters. As of 10:30am, all three Chinese fishing patrol vessels have left Japanese territorial waters. Two vessels excluding Yuzheng 204 are now navigating the contiguous zone near Uotsuri Island. The JCG patrol vessel is continuing to patrol and monitor the waters. Regarding the details pertaining to the moves of the vessels, I ask that you please direct your questions to JCG.

The Prime Minister's Office has responded by immediately setting up a liaison office at the Crisis Management Center to strengthen information gathering. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is lodging a protest through diplomatic channels. It is clear that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent territory of Japan both in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and the islands are now under the valid control of Japan. Moving forward, the Prime Minister's Office will continue to lead the monitoring and surveillance efforts in close coordination and cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies. With regard to the facts, one other announcement is that Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenichiro Sasae lodged representations to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua by telephone around 7:30am. After 10am, Vice-Minister Sasae summoned Ambassador Cheng to MOFA to lodge representations. Representations have also been lodged in Beijing.

REPORTER: Recently, I believe a series of movements have taken place near the Senkaku Islands. What is the Government's analysis of the relationship between these movements and the fact that the Government was first to announce a nationalization policy for the Senkaku Islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to refrain from commenting about the intentions of the Chinese vessels.

(Abridged)