Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• The status of considerations regarding the presentation of the National Honor Award to Ms. Saori Yoshida from women's wrestling

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to explain the status of the considerations being made regarding the presentation of the National Honor Award to Ms. Saori Yoshida. It is a well-known fact that Ms. Saori Yoshida from women's wrestling has achieved an unprecedented feat in the history of wrestling, winning 10 consecutive world championship titles and 3 consecutive Olympic titles, or 13 consecutive world tournament titles combined. On this basis, today, instructions were given to the secretariat to consider the presentation of the National Honor Award to Ms. Yoshida. In the course of the procedures which will follow, we will listen to the opinions of those concerned and make a final decision.

Q&As

• The status of consideration regarding the presentation of the National Honor Award to Ms. Yoshida from women's wrestling
• Japan-ROK relations (including the termination of the expansion of the swap agreement between the two countries)

REPORTER: Related to this, what is the approximate timeframe you have in mind for making the final decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Let me briefly explain the procedures. With instructions being formally given out today to carry out the study, we will be selecting from now on the experts who will make up the expert panel that will determine whether or not the National Honor Award will be presented. Then, I believe some time will be required to listen to the opinions of the experts. Once the experts' opinions are compiled and there is consensus that it is OK to present the award, then more time will be necessary, as in all past cases, to create the plaque of the National Honor Award. This takes additional time. Therefore, as instructions to carry out a study were formally given out today, in light of past examples it will ultimately take at least one more month.

REPORTER: If instructions were given out to the secretariat to carry out a study, then is it correct to understand that you judged that Ms. Yoshida is worthy of receiving the National Honor Award?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The news (about Ms. Yoshida winning her 13th consecutive title) were reported in all of the evening papers of Saturday, September 29, and from the following Monday, the Cabinet Office  has been conducting various internal exchanges. Looking at past examples, 13 consecutive wins is unprecedented. This is the outcome of tireless efforts and training. This is the highest achievement accomplished in both men's and women's wrestling, and also deeply moved and gave courage not only to the sports world but to many people in Japan. For these and a host of other reasons, we internally considered that Ms. Yoshida's accomplishment is fully worthy of considering the presentation of the National Honor Award. The fact that a large number of people expressed support through newspapers, news, and other mediums, such as the Internet, also served as one of the elements for making this decision.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the termination of the expansion of the swap agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). This morning, the Minister of Finance announced that the decision was made in consultation with the Prime Minister's Office. As to the reasons for the termination, was the decision made by considering holistically, for example, the ROK President's landing on Takeshima or the President's comments in relation to His Majesty the Emperor?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Absolutely not. As both sides have stated, both sides recognize that the financial markets of the two countries have stabilized and that their macroeconomic situations are sound. Therefore, the decision was made strictly from an economic standpoint, that there was no need to extend the increased portion of the swap. As the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the study into this matter, I believe it can be said that the Government as a whole made this decision.

REPORTER: The judgment was that, compared to when the expanded swap first started, the economic situation has changed dramatically nearly one year later?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As the ROK, too, has probably announced, it appears that the (macroeconomic) situations are extremely good. In the future, however, if it becomes necessary, the expanded swap will again naturally be considered. Both sides shared the view that at present there was no need for the extension.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning Japan-ROK relations. Yesterday, former Prime Minister Taro Aso met with President Lee Myung-bak. It is reported that President Lee told former Prime Minister Aso that President Lee's comments requesting His Majesty the Emperor to make an apology have been conveyed in a way that misunderstands them. I would like to ask your opinion as to whether you see this meeting as serving as a catalyst for significantly changing the bilateral relations from a broad perspective.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As Mr. Aso is not a member of the Government, I have not received any direct reports or anything of the sort. I am aware of the news reports. I believe it is good that a range of discussions are held between Japan and the ROK at a variety of levels, including at the private sector level.