Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The holding of a meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters (the revisions of the designations for the restricted areas and areas to which evacuation orders have been issued in Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 10 general measures and the promulgation of legislation, as well as draft bills, a cabinet order and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Furukawa made a statement concerning the Strategy for Rebirth of Japan. The Minister of Defense made a statement concerning the Defense of Japan 2012 (Defense White Paper). The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the results of the labor force survey and the household budget survey. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the national ratio of jobs to applicants for June 2012. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications also made a statement concerning the results of the survey of public-interest corporations receiving subsidies and commissioned work from the Government. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning the appointment of heads of national university corporations.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the recommendations of the Investigation and Study Project Team for ICT Subsidies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Prior to the Cabinet meeting, a meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters was held. At the meeting it was decided to revise the designations for the restricted areas and areas to which evacuation orders have been issued in Naraha Town. In addition, it was decided to reduce the scope of the restricted areas in oceanic regions from a 20km radius from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to a 5km distance from the coastline. In view of the preparations that will be required relating to the revisions of the designations for the areas in Naraha Town (Fukushima Prefecture) and in oceanic regions, the revised designations will be implemented from midnight on Friday, August 10. The revision of the area designations is the first step towards the return home of the people affected, and all ministries and agencies concerned will make concerted efforts to implement measures to ensure the reconstruction of the affected regions. In order that progress can be managed and implemented appropriately based on the mid- to long-term roadmap, a report has been made concerning revisions to the roadmap, taking into account and reflecting the measures implemented to date. The items for revision have been to reflect the contents of implementation plans that relate to improving trust, including a response to the vulnerability of temporary peripheral facilities by upgrading them to permanent facilities, as well as to disclose the results of work implemented to date together with the future work schedule and timings for implementation. The Government and TEPCO will work together in accordance with the revised roadmap and will proceed steadily with operations based on the prerequisite of ensuring the safety of workers.

Q&As

• The Senkaku Islands
• The Strategy for Rebirth of Japan that was approved by the Cabinet on July 31, 2012 (a target for a food self-sufficiency ratio and the TPP)
• The Defense White Paper 2012 (notes on China)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Senkaku Islands. According to some press reports today, the Government has proposed a sum of 2 billion yen to the land owner [relating to the purchase of the islands]. Is there any truth to these reports? Also, given that Tokyo Metropolitan Government is considering purchasing the Senkaku Islands, what is the reason behind the Government also making such considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: There is no truth to these reports. The content of Government interaction and correspondence with the owner is something that I will refrain from commenting on, in view of the rights and interests of the owner. What is a fact is that to date the Government has engaged in consultations with the owner concerning the peaceable and stable maintenance and management of the islands. Beyond stating this fact, I will not make further comment.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Strategy for Rebirth of Japan that was approved by the Cabinet today stipulates a target for achieving a food self-sufficiency ratio of 50% by FY2020 in the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector. However, the strategy also states that the Government will continue to consider participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. Could you tell us your thoughts about how these two items can be reconciled and achieved together?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In March 2010 the Cabinet approved the Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas, which sets out an ambitious target of 50 percent on a supplied calorie base and 70 percent on an agricultural output base. Last year, on October 25, the Cabinet approved the Basic Policy for the Revitalization of Japan's Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which also sets out the target of a food self-sufficiency ratio of 50%, in accordance with the Basic Plan. Based on the discussions of the Council on National Strategy and Policy from now, no effort will be spared in this significant policy area to boost the structure and competitiveness of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as to revitalize communities. The aim is to ensure a high degree of economic cooperation and also to revitalize the industry and improve food self-sufficiency, and I do not see that these objectives are at odds with each other.

REPORTER: There are concerns that if tariffs are abolished, this would have a catastrophic effect on the agricultural sector in particular. You have just stated that you do not think food self-sufficiency and the TPP are at odds with each other, but what is your response to those who say that specific policies and measures are lacking?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In addition to further advancing and developing the Basic Policy for the Revitalization of Japan's Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries that was approved last year, I expect that further specific policies and measures will be developed in the course of various interactions and discussions with the agricultural sector from now.

REPORTER: With regard to the Defense White Paper, this year's edition notes that China's military influence is growing and that its responses are assertive, in addition to which its advancements into the Pacific Ocean are being routinely conducted. To date Japan has tended to avoid referring to China in terms of a threat. However, could you tell us if there is any change to this stance and what Japan will do in response to China's growing military capacity?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The National Defense Program Guidelines for FY 2011 and beyond were compiled at the end of 2010, and are the basis for Japan's defense program. The expressions used in the new edition of the Defense White Paper are the same as those that appear in the National Defense Program Guidelines, namely that China's military moves, together with the  lack of transparency in its  military affairs and security issues, are a matter of concern for Japan, the region and the international community. Such forms of expression have been used in the past and therefore it is not the case that there has been any significant change to the stance of Japan. It will therefore be necessary to continue to engage in serious analysis of the security environment.

(Abridged)