Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The Prime Minister's approval for anti-piracy operations
• Appointment of new parliament secretaries at the Cabinet Office (by the revision of the Cabinet Office Establishment Act)
• The Prime Minister's message on the occasion of Marine Day (July 16)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 16 general measures, as well as cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister of Defense made a statement concerning the Prime Minister's approval for anti-piracy operations. I, in my capacity as temporary acting Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement concerning emergency grant aid for Sudanese refugees who have fled to the Republic of South Sudan. Prime Minister Noda made a statement concerning the appointment of Senior Vice Ministers of each ministry and agency to concurrently serve as Senior Vice Ministers to the Cabinet Office.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Furukawa made a statement concerning the first report of the Council on the Economic Situation including the Issue of Overcoming Deflation, and the formulation of the Strategy for Rebirth of Japan. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism made a statement concerning the request for cooperation on the Blue Feather Fund campaign. Minister Nakagawa made a statement concerning the damage caused by the torrential rains brought by a seasonal rain front, affecting mainly the Kyushu region.

Next I would like to make a statement concerning the Prime Minister's approval for anti-piracy operations. At the Cabinet meeting and at the meeting of the Security Council of Japan held prior to the Cabinet meeting, a decision was made concerning the Prime Minister's approval for anti-piracy operations. An overview of this decision has been distributed to you in document format. Currently two escort ships and two patrol aircraft are on dispatch to engage in operations in the area off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. Given the continued high frequency of acts of piracy in this region, it has been decided to continue with the dispatch of Self-Defense Force vessels and aircraft for a further one year. Ensuring the security of sea-lanes and maritime transportation is important not only for the economy and society of Japan and the daily lives of the people of Japan, but is also essential for the peace and prosperity of the international community. The Government of Japan therefore intends to continue to perform these important responsibilities.

Next, I would like to report on personnel matters relating to parliamentary secretaries. Yesterday, legislation to partially revise the Cabinet Office Establishment Act went into force. This new legislation makes it possible for senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries from other ministries to serve concurrently as senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries of the Cabinet Office, which will serve to create a structure for three political-level appointees within the Cabinet Office. Given the entry into force of this new legislation, as of today Parliamentary Secretary of Internal Affairs and Communications Inami and Parliamentary Secretary of Economy, Trade and Industry Kitagami have been appointed to serve concurrently as parliamentary secretaries of the Cabinet Office, with Mr. Inami being responsible for local sovereignty and regional revitalization, and Mr. Kitagami being responsible for oversight of the Nuclear Damage Liability Facilitation Fund.

Next, I would like to report on the Prime Minister's message on the occasion of Marine Day. July 16 is a national holiday designated as Marine Day. It is a day to give thanks for the benefits the ocean provides and to aim for further prosperity of Japan as a maritime nation. Japan is a country surrounded on all sides by ocean and from ancient times we have used the ocean and developed as a nation as we benefited from the various blessings the ocean provides. With a wish that the people of Japan use this day to consider once again the importance of the ocean to our nation, the Prime Minister has issued a message. This message has been distributed to you. Each year a variety of events are held in order to deepen the understanding and interest of a wide section of the public in the oceans, and a "Festival of the Sea" is held in regional towns and cities. This year the "Festival of the Sea" will be held in three cities in Hiroshima Prefecture, including Onomichi, from July 14 to 29. Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino are scheduled to attend the ceremony on July 18, and the message from the Prime Minister is also scheduled to be read out.

Q&As

• The two Japanese nationals detained on Kunashiri in the Northern Territories by the Russian authority
• The Senkaku Islands

REPORTER: There is information to suggest that the two Japanese nationals who had been detained on Kunashiri in the Northern Territories have been released. What are the facts of this case? Also, could you please tell us if the Prime Minister's Office has received any information about when and where they will return to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: On July 12, 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 the two Japanese nationals to whom you refer would be released this weekend. At the current point the specific schedule and matters pertaining to the handover are being coordinated, and I am unable to give you details at the present time.

REPORTER: I have a question relating to the Senkaku Islands. According to some press reports the Noda Administration has decided on a policy of denying any request by Tokyo Metropolitan Government for permission to land on the island for the purpose of advance surveys, in the event that such a request should be made. What are the facts of this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all, there is absolutely no truth to the claims that the Government has decided on such a policy. Based on the wishes of the owner of Uotsuri and other islands that landing should not be permitted, with the exception of personnel from national government agencies, and in view of the Government's aim in leasing Uotsuri and other islands from the owner for the purpose of ensuring peaceable and stable maintenance of the Senkaku Islands, the Government has, to date, followed a policy of denying permission to land on the Senkaku Islands to all persons in principle, with the exception of government-related personnel. I am aware through press reports that Tokyo Metropolitan Government is requesting permission to land on the Senkaku Islands. As I have continued to state from before, if there is any specific request forthcoming, the Government will seek to make a comprehensive decision, taking into comprehensive consideration the necessity for the landing at that point in time, the wishes of the owner, and the peaceable and stable maintenance of the Senkaku Islands, with the Cabinet making a decision on a response to such a request.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In response to a question asked in a meeting of the House of Councilors Budget Committee concerning a memorial service on the islands, you responded that various considerations would be required. Does your response imply that if relatives wishing to hold a memorial service for deceased forebears applied for permission to land, the response to such a request would be different or the same as a request issued by Tokyo Metropolitan Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that my statement in the Budget Committee has been misunderstood and subsequently reported in the press. What I actually said was that in negotiations on bringing the islands under national ownership, various directions would be considered, but that does not necessarily mean that national ownership is a prerequisite. The person who asked the question in the Budget Committee had assumed that if the islands were brought under national ownership a number of things would happen, but my response was that we are not yet at such a stage.

(Abridged)