Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• The Prime Minister's attendance to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony and the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony
• The Prime Minister's visit to the companies in the health-related sector and in the energy and environment sector

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all I would like to announce the scheduled attendance of the Prime Minister Noda at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, on Monday next week, August 6. In addition, the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend the 67th Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on Thursday next week, August 9. While in Nagasaki the Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the site of the former Shiroyama Elementary School building that was destroyed in the atomic bombing and which is situated within the grounds of the current school.

Prior to his August 6 visit to Hiroshima, on Sunday, August 5, the Prime Minister will visit a company that produces medical devices using manufacturing technologies and also a company that produces LED chips that are a core component in highly energy efficient light bulbs and televisions. The purpose of these visits is to take a look at the operations of companies that are engaged in the health-related sector, which is a priority area under the Strategy for Rebirth of Japan, and also companies that are leading innovation in the energy and environment sector.

Q&As

• The Senkaku Islands

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the intention of Tokyo Metropolitan Government to purchase the Senkaku Islands. There are a number of press reports that suggest that in the event that Tokyo Metropolitan Government applies for permission to land on the islands, the Government has initiated preparations to accept such an application. What are the facts behind these reports?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all, there is absolutely no truth to the press reports that you mention. Neither have I heard from any official sources that Tokyo Metropolitan Government is planning an imminent application to land on the islands. Given the current status, therefore, this is not the time to engage in considerations of any kind.