Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Zero nuclear power policy and Japan-UK and Japan-France relations
• The attack on the US Embassy in Libya

REPORTER: There is news that the United Kingdom (UK) and France, which reprocess spent nuclear fuel (from Japanese nuclear power stations), have concerns over the zero nuclear power policy of Japan. What kind of explanations has the Government provided to the two countries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As has been reported by the media, UK Ambassador to Japan David Warren visited me in the late afternoon of September 11. I exchanged views with the Ambassador, but I will not go into the details. I have told the Ambassador that the Government will ensure that UK-Japan relations and trust will not be eroded. And today, French Ambassador to Japan Christian Masset will visit in the afternoon, from 4:40 pm, for a short period, and so I will be meeting with the Ambassador then. In any case, I expect to be discussing the related issues.

REPORTER: On a related matter, according to Mr. Seiji Maehara, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Policy Research Committee Chair, who is visiting the United States (U.S.), Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman of the U.S. Department of Energy expressed concern that, should Japan actually implement this energy strategy it could have unintended effects. I believe the U.S. conveyed its concern also to Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Akihisa Nagashima and others. How does the Government intend to address the U.S. concern?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Between Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Akihisa Nagashima and Parliamentary Secretary of Cabinet Office Hiroshi Ogushi, these two people are now making persistent efforts to explain Japan's current views to the parties concerned. As the process is still ongoing, I would like to refrain from commenting too much on the interim phase.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In Libya, the U.S. Embassy was attacked, and the U.S. Ambassador was killed. What are the Japanese Government's thoughts on this incident?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: This is a very shocking incident. Japan learnt yesterday of the killing of four Americans, including the United States Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, through a series of attacks on the U.S. diplomatic facility, which is the Consulate, in Benghazi. Japan offers its deepest condolences to the victims, their families and the U.S. Government. Japan resolutely condemns such acts of violence. In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released this statement yesterday in the form of a Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In response to the tragedy, Japan stresses the special duty borne by the Libyan Government under international law to protect the premises of foreign missions and their members and strongly hopes that the Government will make further efforts toward the improvement of peace and order. Japan will continue to make its utmost efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals overseas.

(Abridged)