Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• A meeting of the Council on Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Suicide
• A meeting of the Ministerial Council on Monthly Economic Report and Other Relative Issues

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to give an overview of today's Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved five general and other measures and also a cabinet order and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Nakagawa made a statement concerning the General Principles of Suicide Prevention Policy and the FY2012 comprehensive disaster prevention drills of the National Disaster Prevention Day. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the 2012 Annual Health, Labour and Welfare Report. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning the members of the Council for Cultural Affairs (Subdivision on Selection Cultural Awardees).

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Kawabata made a statement concerning the principles for the promotion of local sovereignty, and Minister Matsubara made a statement concerning the strengthening of the functions of consumer administration.

Next, today, there was a meeting of the Council on Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Suicide. The meeting reviewed the General Principles of Suicide Prevention Policy and decided on the draft General Principles to be decided by the Cabinet. The General Principles were formally decided at the Cabinet meeting which followed the meeting of the Council. The reviewed General Principles aim to "realize a society in which no one will be driven to commit suicide" and outline the need to shift our suicide countermeasures to give more focus to practical initiatives at the community level. Regarding specific measures, the General Principles note the importance of measures targeted at the younger generation whose suicide mortality rate has been increasing in recent years, as well as of measures targeted at people who have attempted suicides in the past and are at extremely high risk for committing suicides. In addition, the General Principles state that partnerships and cooperation among various actors will be promoted. Based on the new General Principles, relevant ministries and agencies will make more vigorous efforts to combat suicides in partnership with each other, in order to save as many lives as possible. For details, I ask that you please direct your questions to the Office for Policy on Suicide Prevention at the Cabinet Office.

I have one more announcement, which is about a meeting of the Ministerial Council on Monthly Economic Report and Other Relative Issues, which was held following the Cabinet meeting. With regard to the assessment of the current state of the Japanese economy, the Monthly Economic Report for August states that, "The Japanese economy is on the way to recovery at a moderate pace partly due to reconstruction demand, while some weak movements are seen recently." Compared to the previous month's assessment, the Monthly Economic Report has downgraded its assessment. Concerning short-term prospects, the Monthly Economic Report states that movements toward economic recovery in the Japanese economy, although which would be influenced by the decelerating overseas economy for the time being, are expected to continue due to reconstruction demand to some extent. However, the report notes that caution is needed as further slowing down of overseas economies and sharp fluctuations in the financial and capital markets under a high degree of uncertainty about the prospects of the Eurozone debt crisis, are downside risks of the Japanese economy. For details, I ask that you please direct your questions to the Cabinet Office (Economic and Fiscal Analysis).

Q&As

• Japan-China relations

REPORTER: Yesterday, the vehicle carrying Japanese Ambassador to China Niwa was attacked in China. Can you explain your thoughts on this as well as the response of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First, I would like to explain the facts. On August 27, after 4 pm local time or 5 pm Japan time, while Japanese Ambassador to China Niwa was travelling on an embassy vehicle in Beijing, at least two vehicles forced the embassy vehicle to come to a stop. A man who came out from one of the vehicles removed a Japanese flag which was hoisted on the embassy vehicle and took off. The fact that such an incident occurred is very regrettable. On August 27, at 5 pm local time or 6 pm Japan time, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission Horinouchi of the Embassy of Japan in China lodged a rigorous protest to Director-General of Asian Affairs Department Luo Zhaohui of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and strongly urged China to prevent the reoccurrence of such an incident and to carry out a criminal investigation. China responded to the effect that it finds it extremely regrettable that such an incident has taken place. It stated that the Chinese Government will make every effort to prevent similar incidents from happening again, that it will ensure the safety of Japanese people and Japanese companies in China, and address the matter sternly in accordance with the law.

REPORTER: In regard to China, Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba stated in his press conference that a letter has been sent to President Hu Jintao. Was this a letter from the Prime Minister?

(Abridged)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe you've got it slightly wrong. Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamaguchi will be visiting China from later this afternoon. Circumstances permitting, the Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister will be visiting China from today. As he is visiting China, arrangements are now being made for the Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister to bring the Prime Minister's letter. I am not sure if there is some confusion between this visit and what you are referring to. In any case, these are the facts.

REPORTER: Are the contents of the Prime Minister's letter expected to include the series of incidents related to Senkaku?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As this is a letter from the Prime Minister, it will not go into such specifics. The intent to stably develop Japan-China relations from a broad perspective will be mentioned, among other matters. I believe the contents will be announced after the letter is handed over. As the letter has not been handed over to President Hu Jintao yet, I would like to refrain from discussing the contents at this point in time.

REPORTER: Going back to the subject of Ambassador Niwa, what are your thoughts on the reason why this time, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) did not lodge a protest to China (in Tokyo)?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Japanese Embassy in China has already been conducting a very high level of exchanges. MOFA will of course take measures as necessary (in Tokyo), while closely paying attention to China's response going forward. It is the fact that even now we are conducting a very high level of exchanges.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding the attack against the Ambassador, Japan urged China that the perpetrators face criminal punishment. I believe photos and information on license plates have been submitted. Has China said anything about the search of the perpetrators?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: China's response at this time was basically what I stated a moment ago. As for the facts, I understand that the license plates of the two vehicles are now being confirmed. Therefore, naturally, information about the license plates has already been notified to China.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I am sorry to go back and forth, but I would like to ask a question about the Prime Minister's letter to China. Is the Prime Minister sending the letter to express concern over the series of incidents involving the Senkaku Islands carried out by China? Also, what is the reason for sending the letter at this current timing?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is customary for a Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister or any other Government official to bring a letter when he/she visits a country and meets with the country's former or current leader. Therefore, this is not an extraordinary opportunity. This is a perfectly ordinary practice. I believe the letter will touch on the relations between the two countries from a broad perspective. The contents will be announced after the letter is handed over.

(Abridged)