Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• The Prime Minister's policy speech at the upcoming extraordinary session of the Diet

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At the extraordinary Cabinet meeting a moment ago, ministers reviewed the content of the Prime Minister's policy speech. Opinions were provided regarding the content. However, we are not yet at the stage of being able to announce the content, and therefore, I would like to refrain from disclosing the content.

Q&As

• Chinese Government vessels' movements near the Senkaku Islands
• Economic measures using reserve funds

REPORTER: This morning, Chinese Government vessels again intruded into the territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands. Can you please verify the facts and explain about the Government's response?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Today, from around 6:28 am to 7:32 am, four Chinese "Haijian" maritime patrol vessels consecutively entered into Japanese territorial waters near Uotsuri Island. In response, the Government's information collection structure was reinforced by reorganizing the Information Liaison Office, which was established within the Crisis Management Center at the Prime Minister's Office, into the Response Office at the Prime Minister's Office at 6:28 am. At around 9:45 am, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kawai lodged a strong protest by telephone to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua regarding today's intrusion of several Chinese Government vessels into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands, and urged China to quickly withdraw the vessels from Japanese territorial waters. The Government of Japan has repeatedly lodged a strong protest to China in this way through diplomatic channels.

REPORTER: Ever since the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands, this cycle of vessels entering and leaving, and Japan protesting has occurred repeatedly and is becoming routine. How does the Government see this routine situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is extremely regrettable that these incidents of Chinese Government vessels intruding into Japanese territorial waters have been occurring. Japan will continue to collect information together with the relevant ministries and agencies, and make every effort to monitor and survey the waters near the Senkaku Islands with a sense of urgency.

REPORTER: Despite the Japanese Government's lodging of protests by telephone every time these incidents occur, the situation is not improving. Does the Government have no drastic measures it can take in response to China in order to overcome this situation?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I have stated a number of times so far, a range of exchanges are taking place at a variety of levels, including at the director-general level and vice-minister level, as has been reported by the media. I believe this is not something which can be resolved in one or two days. However, Japan will persistently carry on with the negotiations and consultations.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: While it may not be the vessels which intruded into Japanese territorial waters today, I believe it was speculated that China was conducting a study in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). At this time, what is the response that the Japanese Government is seeking from the Chinese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Yesterday, a vessel called "R/V Science No. 3" was in an area that was beyond the study area which we had received prior notification about. It was October 24, yesterday and the vessel is not there today. Yesterday, at 11:39 am, the vessel left the contiguous zone near the Senkaku Islands. However, the vessel wandered within the Japanese EEZ and conducted a maritime survey using measurement equipment. Then, at around 2:30 pm yesterday, the vessel pulled out the measurement equipment and began navigating in the northwest direction. Japan was notified in advance that the vessel wished to take measurements in this area. However, the vessel took measurements in a different location. Therefore, Japan requested that China immediately suspend its study and lodged a protest through diplomatic channels.

REPORTER: Do you believe that this vessel's deviation from the study area is related to the recent series of events, such as the Chinese vessels' entry into Japanese territorial waters?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Since this took place within the EEZ, it seems this is not a matter of whether there was or wasn't coordination with the "Haijian" events. I am not sure about the intentions.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: It has been reported that economic measures which will use more than 400 billion yen in reserve funds will be decided at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. What arrangements are now being made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Pursuant to the recent instructions of the Prime Minister, overall economic measures will be determined by mid-November at the latest. In addition, instructions were given about steps that can be taken before that. Therefore, the amount of the reserve funds is now being finalized ahead of tomorrow's Cabinet decision. While there was something reported in the news, my response at this time is that the amount is being finalized.

(Abridged)