Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-ROK relations (the Takeshima issue)
• The review to restrain budget disbursements
• Japan-North Korea relations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In regard to Takeshima, the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has responded that it refuses to institute proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by a special agreement between the two countries. Can you please tell us your thoughts and what measures the Government will be taking going forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe the Minister for Foreign Affairs has already released a statement on this. The Government's position is as stated in the statement. I believe Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba's words were that the Government of Japan believes that it would be appropriate to conclude a special agreement for carrying out proceedings before the ICJ in order to settle the dispute over the sovereignty of Takeshima in a calm and peaceful way based on international law. As the ROK is an important member state of the United Nations (UN), and as the ROK Government advocates "Global Korea," Japan expected that the ROK Government would accept our proposals and make its claims fairly and unequivocally at the ICJ. It is therefore extremely disappointing that the ROK side has responded the way it has this time without offering any concrete counter proposals toward the settlement of the Takeshima dispute. I believe Minister Gemba also stated that the Government will continue forward with appropriate processes in order to settle the dispute over the sovereignty of Takeshima in a calm and peaceful way based on international law, including the unilateral submission of the dispute to the ICJ.

REPORTER: In relation to the status of the legislation on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds, I believe the Government is internally reviewing ways to restrain budget disbursements. Should disbursements be restrained, what programs will be subject to this as of now? What is the status of the considerations regarding the criteria, if any, for determining which programs will be impacted? For example, will it be programs that have little impact on the lives of the people? Or will priority be given to expenditures related to Diet members or their political parties, such as the grants provided to political parties?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: First of all, as there are still days left in the Diet session, it remains unchanged that we are asking for the swift passage of the legislation on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds. However, bearing in mind the situation of the Diet, I understand that a review is now under way regarding the measures to be taken should the legislation not pass within the Diet session. In principle, the Ministry of Finance will lead the review in accordance with the Public Finance Act. On this basis, ultimately a Government policy will be decided by the Cabinet. The contents are still under consideration.     

REPORTER: At what timing will the Cabinet reach a decision, in other words, the policy of the Government? Will this be after the conclusion of the Diet session?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe this will be at the point in which time it becomes certain that the legislation will not pass during the current session of the Diet.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Regarding the status of today's Japan-North Korea consultation, it seems that the talks have been suspended. What is your understanding of the current situation?

(Abridged)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have been informed as of now that the consultation ended at 2:30 pm. However, this is not the end of the preliminary consultation. I believe the two sides agreed to continue to contact one another and coordinate with each other regarding the way forward.

REPORTER: What is your understanding of the areas which the two sides still need to work on?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I will not comment on the contents of the consultation.

(Abridged)