Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The possible restraint of budget disbursements
• The establishment of a final disposal site for designated waste related to the nuclear accident
• The Senkaku Islands

REPORTER: I have a question concerning measures to restrain budget disbursements.  In the event that the legislation on special provisions concerning issuance of government bonds  fails to be passed, at a recent meeting between the Government and the three senior officials of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), there was a discussion on the possibility of requesting that the courts, Board of Audit and the Diet take similar measures to the Government to restrain budget disbursements. In specific terms, how does the Government intend to proceed with such measures from now?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: There was a statement by the Minister of Finance regarding this matter in the Cabinet meeting held on Friday last week. The same topic was covered by the Minister of Finance in his press conference, and with regard to the implementation of the general account budget from September onwards the minister announced a draft outline for measures to respond to a situation in which the bill on special provisions for government bonds is not able to be passed during the current session of the Diet. The bulk of this draft outline represents the Government's concept regarding this matter and it comprises five bullet points, the last of which includes a proposal to request the Diet, courts and Board of Audit to take similar budgetary control measures. The basic concept as announced by the Minister of Finance is to make requests to the Diet, courts and Board of Audit and this request will be submitted from now.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Almost a year-and-a-half has now passed since the accident at the nuclear power station in Fukushima. Today, the Government has informed the governor of Tochigi Prefecture that Yaita City is a candidate for the establishment of a final disposal site for designated waste related to the accident. I believe that it will be necessary to gain the understanding of local residents when making a final decision on the location of a waste disposal site. Could you tell us the Government's policy regarding decisions on the locations for final disposal sites?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Today the Senior Vice Minister of the Environment informed the governor of Tochigi Prefecture and the mayor of Yaita City that with regard to the establishment of a final disposal site for designated waste in Tochigi Prefecture, the Government has selected the nationally-owned Oishikubo forest area in Shiota, Yaita City as a candidate location. I hear that the governor has expressed the hope that the Government will provide thorough explanations to both Yaita City and local residents concerning the details behind the selection of the city as candidate location and the necessity for the establishment of a final disposal site. It is also a fact that the mayor of Yaita City has noted that at the current point he is inclined to reject the idea, but will consult with the prefectural government. The Government's stance is to make every effort to provide thorough  explanations to Yaita City and residents living close to the candidate site about the necessity for the establishment of a final disposal site, the concept behind the selection, as well as the results of the selection process and measures to ensure safety, with a view to gaining understanding for the establishment of a final disposal site for designated waste in Yaita City.

REPORTER: On the subject of the Senkaku Islands, in this morning's press conference you noted that the owner of the islands had indicated an intention to sell them. Assuming that they are purchased by the Government, this would naturally entail budgetary expenditure, and would therefore require a rational explanation as to why the islands were purchased for such a price. Do you therefore believe that a process will be necessary whereby a real estate appraiser will be called upon to evaluate the value of the islands?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to point out that in this morning's press conference I did not state to whom the owner had demonstrated an intention to sell the islands. What I did state was that the owner had leased the islands to date, but had indicated an intention to sell them. Other than this my response is the same, but I will repeat myself once more. The Government is currently engaged in comprehensive considerations from the perspective of continuing to maintain and manage the Senkaku Islands in a peaceful and stable manner, and also in light of the wishes of the land owner and in contact with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which has indicated an intention  to purchase the islands. The content of discussions with the owner of the islands is not something that I will disclose and therefore I will refrain from making any comment about the valuation of the islands.

(Abridged)