Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-China relations

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs will visit China. However, during your press conference this morning you did not say either that a special envoy had or had not been dispatched. Was your statement made with the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs in mind, or someone completely different?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The question I was asked before related to an "Ambassador on a Special Mission," which apparently the Prime Minister had mentioned on a television program. At that point nothing specific had been confirmed about the format in which such an ambassador would be dispatched. The dispatch of an "Ambassador on a Special Mission" is something that requires the approval of the Cabinet, and there is also a position referred to as a "Special Representative of the Prime Minister," whereby a designated person takes a letter from the Prime Minister. I noted in this morning's press conference that various considerations and coordination work were taking place through a number of channels. However, it is not yet decided whether an "Ambassador on a Special Mission" will be appointed and dispatched.

REPORTER: So in that sense, when you responded this morning, you were not particularly thinking of the dispatch of the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: What I was referring to various channels, the dispatch was also in my mind.

(Abridged)