Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The Senkaku Islands
• Minister Matsubara's comments on the issue of "comfort women"

REPORTER: My question is in relation to the landing permit application submitted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), which I also inquired about this morning. Could you please tell us the Government's response to the application?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have been informed that today, at 2:30 pm, the Government replied to the Governor of TMG in the name of Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Nagahama as follows:

There is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are clearly an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based upon international law. Indeed, the Senkaku Islands are under the valid control of Japan. There exists no issue of territorial sovereignty to be resolved concerning the Senkaku Islands. The Government has maintained a consistent policy that with the exception of Government-related personnel, no person shall be permitted to land on the Islands. Therefore we have concluded that a permit to land on the islands cannot be granted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in the interests of maintaining and managing the islands peacefully and stably, which is the purpose of Government's lease agreement.

This was sent as a written response. For now this is all I can to confirm. The document is entitled "Regarding Your Entry Permit Application".

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe that TMG intends to travel to the islands by ship even if the landing permit is not granted. Has TMG informed the Government of its intentions to conduct research around the islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: No, not yet. The Government has only just sent its written response, and I believe that TMG has not yet announced any further plans.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In relation to the Senkaku Islands, I have heard that video footage filmed by the Japan Coast Guard will be disclosed as early as today. Could you tell us if this is the case?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have been informed that the Japan Coast Guard would like to release its video footage by the end of today. I have also been informed that the Japan Coast Guard will announce its intentions and objectives to the media most likely by the end of today.

REPORTER: Concerning the Republic of Korea, Minister Jin Matsubara recently stated during question time at the Diet that he would like to have a discussion with other ministers about the Kono Statement (the Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono in 1993) on the issue of "comfort women". How are you planning to address this topic?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: By just hearing the comments of Minister Matsubara, it's difficult to tell if the Minister will take any action or not. The Government will not take any action on the comments any time soon, but that may depend on how the minister acts on his comments.