Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: Yesterday it was reported by some media that Chinese vessels were nearing the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands. What is the Government's understanding of the current situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the press reports about the vessel "Haijian," a maritime surveillance vessel of the State Oceanic Administration of China, heading towards the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands. To date no Chinese government ships have been confirmed in the contiguous waters of Japan. The Government is thoroughly implementing monitoring and surveillance activities in order to ensure Japan's territorial waters, while continuously being engaged in close coordination and cooperation among the ministries and agencies concerned under the leadership of Prime Minister's Office.

REPORTER: On the subject of the land transfer of the three Senkaku Islands, is it the case that the registration of the transfer has already been completed?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I understand that it was completed yesterday.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Apparently a meeting of ministers concerned with energy issues was convened a while ago and a number of press reports suggest that the meeting discussed the future outlook for energy strategy, as well as economic promotion strategy for local governments in Aomori and other locations. Could you tell us about the content of the meeting and also about the current status of considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The ministers and other officials concerned with energy issues who attended the meeting were: Deputy Prime Minister Okada, myself, Minister Furukawa, Minister Edano, Minister Hosono, Minister Hirano, Minister Gemba and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Saito. These attendees provided various reports to the Prime Minister and various discussions also took place. You have just mentioned Aomori Prefecture and there seem to be a number of press reports about a local promotion strategy for the prefecture. However, there is no truth to these reports that the Government has submitted a local promotion plan to the prefecture. With regard to the future outlook for energy strategy, as the Prime Minister has already stated, the Government intends to confirm the future outlook during the course of this week, for which a meeting of the Energy and Environment Council will be held, although it is still in progress.

(Abridged)