Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The results of the inspection and review pertaining to the expenditures of public interest corporations
• The International Campaign on Information Security in October

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved five general and other measures, and also personnel decisions. With regard to statements made by ministers, the Minister of the Environment made a statement concerning the National Biodiversity Strategy 2012-2020. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the results of the labor force survey, consumer price index, and the household budget survey. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the national ratio of jobs to applicants for August 2012 as well as the campaign of the Central Community Chest of Japan that will start from October 1. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made a statement concerning personnel affairs relating to heads of national university corporations. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism made a statement concerning personnel affairs relating to heads of independent administrative agencies.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Okada made a statement concerning the announcement of the results of the inspection and review pertaining to the expenditures of public interest corporations, which I believe will be thoroughly explained at today's Deputy Prime Minister's press conference. This is about the organizations which were called "termites." The various ministries conducted very rigorous investigations. The results of the investigations will be announced, and therefore, I hope you will listen to the press conference given by Deputy Prime Minister Okada.

I have one more announcement regarding a different matter. As it is important to address information security threats through global cooperation, in addition to Information Security Month, which was held in February of this year, we will be holding the International Campaign on Information Security in October, which will start from next week. Specifically, by making use of websites, amongst other means, information will be made available to the people. Today, I believe a message has been distributed to you. It summarizes my request to the people as part of the campaign. The Japan-ASEAN Information Security Policy Meeting and other information security-related events will also be held within a concentrated timeframe. For details, I ask that you please inquire with the National Information Security Center. I expect that this opportunity will serve to further increase awareness about information security among the public at large.

Q&As

• Japan-China relations (including the Senkaku Islands)
• Collection of data on children's external radiation exposure estimates by Fukushima Prefecture

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the Senkaku Islands. On a TV program this morning, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nagashima expressed his personal belief that it is difficult to continue to keep stating that there exists no territorial issue. The Government has made a policy change to conduct international public relations (PR) efforts. On this basis, what is the Government's view on the existence or non-existence of a territorial issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: That was clearly stated by Prime Minister Noda at the United Nations General Assembly. That is also what I have been saying, every time, no matter how many times this question is asked. Japan has consistently stated that there is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent territory of Japan in light of historical facts and based on international law. The Senkaku Islands are under the valid control of Japan, and there exists no issue to be resolved concerning the Senkaku Islands. With regard to the statement made by Special Advisor Nagashima on TV, when asked a moment ago through the communications between Secretaries what he meant by his statement, he responded that he made the statement with the intent of expressing the view that Japan should more actively engage in international PR efforts from the standpoint of further bolstering Japan's position concerning the Senkaku Islands.

REPORTER: I have a related question. In regard to the Government's view that there exists no territorial issue, Chairman Yonekura of Keidanren, who is visiting China, made statements which were slightly critical of the Government's view, saying that it is difficult to understand the Government's purpose in stating that there is no issue and that it is the role of the leaders to settle the issue. In light of such opinions, how does the Government intend to respond to them going forward?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: There is no reason to change the position of Japan, nor should it be changed. However, if there are issues between Japan and China concerning the Senkaku Islands, diplomatic or otherwise, then, as I stated a moment ago, both sides should pool their wisdom together to settle the issues through dialogue in a steadfast and calm manner with a broad perspective.

REPORTER: On a related matter, regarding whether or not there is a territorial issue, on September 26, (New York time), Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba stated that the Japanese Government had been refraining from making any statements based on the position that there exists no territorial issue, but that he had given instructions for a change in policy. What is this change in policy referring to according to your understanding?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: On the basis that there exists no territorial issue, the Government has not been making vocal statements in terms of international PR. The change in policy means that we will be carrying out thorough international PR efforts. As I have been responding at these press conferences, this means distributing materials to embassies in Japan, making statements at various international forums, and providing explanations at bilateral meetings, as the Prime Minister did in New York, and in this way, actively sending out information on this topic. (Abridged) As there exists no territorial issue, there used to be no need to provide explanations. However, if one-sided views are going to be stated, then we will provide proper explanations.

REPORTER: My question returns to comments made by Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nagashima on TV. On the same TV program, Mr. Nagashima also commented that if China decides to institute proceedings over the Senkaku Islands before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Japan would be happy to oblige. Am I right to understand that this is the Government's position?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I can only repeat what I said yesterday, but there is no doubt that the Senkaku Islands are clearly an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based on international law. Indeed, the Senkaku Islands are under the valid control of Japan. Therefore, there is nothing in dispute and this is the Government's Position. Also, yesterday I stated that at the moment I do not feel any need to have the matter of the Senkaku Islands contested at an international judicial institution as China has not as yet attempted to institute proceedings before the ICJ, nor have I been informed of any such developments. What exactly did Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nagashima say? Did he refer to the ICJ?

REPORTER: Yes, he said that if China were to institute proceedings before the ICJ, Japan is willing to cooperate.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Firstly, we have not heard of any such developments. The Government's view is that there is nothing to contest and therefore do not feel the necessity to do so.

REPORTER: Your answer now, just like your response yesterday, included the phrase "at the moment". Did you use the phrase with the knowledge that the Government may in the future change its position that there are no territorial issues?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Prime Minister addressed the topic of the acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ at the UN General Assembly, although he did so in a general sense, rather than for this specific instance. In instances involving countries that have made a declaration to accept this compulsory jurisdiction, if one country takes a dispute to the ICJ, the jurisdiction of the ICJ is automatically established. Therefore the Prime Minister's statement meant that generally there are instances where Japan would cooperate with proceedings. Therefore, although unlikely, the Prime Minister is not entirely discounting the possibility. However, since China has not yet made a declaration to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ, this does not apply.

REPORTER: I understand that you are speaking hypothetically, however while the Prime Minister called for the recognition of the ICJ during his address at the UN Assembly, what you just stated - not showing a willingness to cooperate if China were to institute proceedings - seems to contradict the Prime Ministers speech. How do you reconcile this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I said, the Prime Minister was speaking in general terms. What he wanted to say was that the important, ongoing agenda is to support the initiatives of the UN in order to strengthen the rule of law. Therefore, naturally the Prime Minister called for other countries with the cooperation of the UN to also accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ. We are talking about a hypothetically situation as China has not yet accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ. Furthermore, when talking about the Senkaku Islands there is no territorial issue. Therefore, as I said both yesterday and today, the Government does not feel the necessity of contesting the matter at the ICJ. I don't believe there is any contradiction.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In relation to the Senkaku Islands, Dr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, presented a speech at the UN Assembly in which he said that the historical fact that Japan stole Uotsuri Island from China cannot be changed. During his speech he referred to the Senkaku Islands in connection with historical issues, thereby attempting to justify China's claim over the Senkaku Islands. What is the Japanese Government's view and counterargument of this speech?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have only just been informed of the speech at the UN General Assembly. These claims over the Senkaku Islands are made according to China's own claims and we do not see any grounds for these claims. There will be more opportunities to make counterarguments and we would like to make the most of these opportunities. However, we would also like to say that above all else, we should maintain and strengthen communication and that both countries should address this issue with calm.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to change the topic and would like to ask a question concerning children who underwent thyroid gland examinations in Fukushima. Currently less than 40% (only just over 30%) have been assessed to determine their external radiation exposure.

(Abridged) I believe that the Prefectural Government is taking the initiative in completing these tests, but how does the National Government view this?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: According to the Fukushima Health Management Survey covering the period up to August 31, 2012 and made public on September 11, the first round of testing was completed for 80,000 of the 360,000 citizens under the age of 18. Furthermore, it was also reported that external radiation exposure estimates were completed for just under 20,000 citizens under the age of 18. In this sense, approximately 30% of the 80,000 - or 20,000 children - have been assessed for external radiation exposure. In order to estimate external radiation exposure, citizens are required to complete a detailed survey of their activities following the accident. In fact, since the questionnaire requires long and detailed answers, the response rate for all age groups in Fukushima has been only 22.9%. This estimate will form the foundation of ongoing long-term health management and is an important opportunity to discover each individual's level of exposure. Therefore, I believe that the Prefectural Government is planning to undertake initiatives to help improve the response and collection rates by, on a number of occasions, informing citizens of the survey's purpose and providing assistance in completing the questionnaire. In light of this, the Government will exert every effort to support the Prefectural Government in order to ensure effective and accurate collection of data in relation to the effects of radiation on the citizens of Fukushima Prefecture.

(Abridged)