Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Press reports on North Korea's participation in APEC as a guest
• The TPP
• The review to restrain budget disbursements
• The attack on the vehicle carrying the Japanese Ambassador to China in Beijing
• The statement made by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono on the issue of "comfort women"

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to some reports, North Korea is asking to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting as a guest. If there are any facts that the Japanese Government is aware of, could you please share them with us?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of these reports. However, Russia, (this year's APEC) Chair, has not made any inquiries with or consulted the APEC participants, by which I mean Japan.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Concerns are being voiced, including by the business community, about the progress that has been made since Japan announced in November of last year that it will enter into consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations. How does the Noda administration intend to make progress on the TPP? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: There has been no change to our policy. There has been no change to our policy that through sufficient national debate, we will reach a conclusion faithfully from the viewpoint of our national interest. With regard to Japan's participation, the consultations with the countries concerned will be nearing conclusion. However, the consultations have not yet reached that stage, and Japan's participation and other matters have not yet been decided.

REPORTER: I have a related question. I believe one of the possible options is to announce (Japan's participation) at the APEC meeting next month. At this stage, as you said a moment ago, is your analysis of the situation that the consultations with the countries concerned are not at the stage of nearing conclusion?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At this time, there are no plans to make any decisions by a specific time, by a certain day of next month.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I believe you met with Minister of Finance Azumi a moment ago. I understand that the subject of restraining budget disbursements came up in the discussion. What options did Minister Azumi present to you?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Let me respond to your question on restraining budget disbursements. The Government is still seeking the swift passage of the legislation on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds. Our position remains unchanged, and there are still days remaining in the Diet session. However, we are just now starting to think about or study our responses should the legislation not pass by the end of the Diet session. The specific response is still being studied. At this point in time, no definite policy has been finalized.

REPORTER: Did you two discuss the schedule, that is, by around when the Ministry of Finance or the Government will decide on the options?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At least until the Diet session ends on September 8, the passage of the legislation still remains a possibility. Of course, in the meantime, I believe the options will be determined.

REPORTER: Regarding the attack on the vehicle carrying Japanese Ambassador to China Niwa, the suspects have been caught according to some reports. Can you verify the facts and tell us whether you have received any information on this from China?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the reports. However, we have not yet received any such information through official channels.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in regard to the statement made by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono on the issue of "comfort women." As was also asked the other day, at the Diet, Minister Matsubara expressed the idea of reviewing the statement. Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea (ROK) is protesting such talks of review. Does the Noda administration intend to consider reviewing the Kono statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have responded to this question many times, also at these press conferences. Let me repeat the response which I gave this Monday from the standpoint of the Government. It may be quicker for you to look at the transcript, but nevertheless, my response was as follows. "The Government's basic position is as stated in the statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kono on August 4, 1993. Previous administrations since then have followed this statement, and the current administration, as with previous Cabinets, follows this view and is not in a position to make any changes."

(Abridged)