Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The assault by United States' military servicemen in Okinawa
• The IFRC's World Disasters Report which refers to displacement due to the nuclear accident in Fukushima
• Negotiations with the DPRK
• Movements of Chinese Navy vessels

REPORTER: There was another assault by United States' military servicemen in Okinawa. How does the Government view this incident, and how is the Government going to respond?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is extremely and truly regrettable. Last night, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kira, on behalf of Minister for Foreign Affairs Gemba, who is currently overseas, made a complaint to US Ambassador to Japan John Roos. Additionally the Director General of the Bureau of Local Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense communicated with the Commander of U.S. Forces Japan to express his distress and to demand strengthened discipline and prevention of recurrence. The Director-General of the Okinawa Defense Bureau also communicated with the Commander of U.S. Forces Japan to do the same. The Okinawa Prefecture Police is currently investigating the incident, therefore I will refrain from making any comments on the details of the incident, but it is an extremely distressing occurrence.

REPORTER: You just stated that the Government will demand strengthened discipline and prevention of recurrence, however similar incidents have occurred in the past and the Government has made the same demands each time. Minister Gemba, on the other hand, today commented that perhaps there is a need for through review. Will the Government not take any action beyond making these demands in order to prevent recurrence?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe Minister Gemba made this comment to communicate his opinion that it is not sufficient to merely strengthen discipline and hope to prevent recurrence; there is a need for thorough review.  I cannot be certain of the kinds of changes Minister Gemba was thinking of when he spoke about thorough review; however I do believe that he is correct.

REPORTER: Governor (of Okinawa) Nakaima, for instance, today requested an amendment to the Japan-United States (U.S.) Status of Forces Agreement. Could something like this be included in the thorough review Minister Gemba spoke of?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Japan-United States Status of Forces Agreement is already well established and I believe that it is rather an issue of implementation. For a long time there have been a number of measures taken to prevent crimes by U.S. military servicemen and women stationed in Okinawa, and perhaps Minister Gemba was thinking about reviewing those measures when he made the comment. However, he made the comment while overseas and I can only speculate for now.

REPORTER: In relation to the Japan-United States Status of Forces Agreement, when Prime Minister Noda visited Okinawa in February he promised to establish a consultative body and showed a willingness to work toward revision. However, I believe that there has been no visible progress and I would like to know why that is the case.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that in terms of the implementation of the agreement, there has in fact been some progress since September last year. I can only speculate that Minister Gemba is considering clarifying what measures the U.S. military is taking to improve the implementation of the agreement and to identify deficiencies in implementation.

REPORTER: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reported in its World Disasters Report that displacement due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is a humanitarian crisis caused by technological disaster. How does the Government view this report?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of this media report, but I'm not aware of the actual content of the report. I am yet to read the report and therefore I do not know its intent or purpose. However, the Government is fully aware that the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has caused much suffering and hardship. The Noda Cabinet regards the recovery and reconstruction from the earthquake and coping with the aftermath of the nuclear accident as issues of the highest priority. The Government will continue to address these issues with the knowledge that there is still a long way to go before reconstruction is complete.

REPORTER: I apologize for returning to the Okinawa issue. You stated that a protest has been made to the U.S. Ambassador, but is the Government planning to lodge protests at a higher level or directly to the U.S. Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have been informed that the Parliamentary Vice-Minister on behalf of the Foreign Minister has requested a meeting with the Ambassador that may take place today. As I said earlier, protests and communication has been made at a number of levels.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the Japan-United States Status of Forces Agreement. I understand Minister Gemba's thoughts, but I would like to ask for your own opinion on the necessity of revision of the agreement.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe that the there have been numerous discussions on the agreement, and personally I believe that if there are problems with its implementation then they need reviewed. In this sense I believe my opinion is close to that of Minister Gemba's.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the Japan-Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) consultation. It has been reported that the DPRK Government has requested another preliminary consultation at director-level. Could you please inform us of the facts of the situation and how the Government will respond.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I can only say that in relation to the Japan-DPRK Consultation, the Government is continually in the process of making arrangements. If you recall, at the preliminary consultation at director-level that took place on August 29, 30 and 31, both Governments agreed to hold consultations with higher level officials in Beijing as soon as possible, therefore we are currently working toward that goal.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question in relation to Chinese Navy vessels. During yesterday afternoon's press conference, you stated that the vessels had crossed the median line and were sailing toward China. I would to know what has happened since then.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The vessels have crossed the median line and continued to sail further away.

REPORTER: Has the Chinese Government provided any explanation as to why, or for what reason, Chinese Navy vessels traveled within Japanese contiguous waters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The message we have received from the Chinese Government, although no directly, is that it was merely an ordinary training exercise. The Chinese Government has not notified us of any particular reason.