Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• Newly appointed Minister for the Abduction Issue Fujimura's meeting with the family members of the abduction victims

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have been appointed Minister for the Abduction Issue. Following my appointment, given my wish to meet with the families and other persons related to the abduction victims as soon as possible, a meeting has been arranged from 6:00 pm tomorrow, Friday, October 26, with Representative Iizuka and Secretary Masumoto of the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (AFVKN), Mr. and Mrs. Yokota, and other representatives of the association based in Tokyo. The meeting will be held at the Prime Minister's Office, and in addition to myself, Senior Vice Minister Haku and Parliamentary Secretary Koori will also be present. At this meeting I would like to greet the families of the victims and hear their thoughts, as well as report on full-fledged measures that will be taken to deal with the issue.

Q&As

• Minister for the Abduction Issue Fujimura's meeting with the family members of the abduction victims
• Governor Ishihara of Tokyo's announcement of his resignation and forming a new political party
• Chinese vessels' movements near the Senkaku Islands

REPORTER: Can you tell us whether Prime Minister Noda is scheduled to attend the meeting with the AFVKN and other representatives of the association based in Tokyo?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As the meeting is scheduled to take place at 6:00 pm at the Prime Minister's Office, I have inquired whether the Prime Minister's schedule could be arranged so that he could attend. I have requested that the Prime Minister attend, even for a short time.

REPORTER: On a related note, you have just stated that you would like to hear the thoughts of the families of the abduction victims. Is there anything that you would like to say to the families, following your appointment as Minister for the Abduction Issue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I will be speaking to the families tomorrow, and therefore I do not think it is right for me to discuss what I will say here in this press conference today. I believe that the opening of the meeting will be open for press coverage.

REPORTER: Governor Ishihara of Tokyo has just announced his intention to resign and form a new political party. What is the reaction of the Government to this announcement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In my position as Chief Cabinet Secretary of the central government I do not think I should make specific comments about political parties, and also in light of the fact that the governor of Tokyo is the leader of a local government. In addition, the announcement by the governor has only just been made and as I was until a short while ago attending the autumn Imperial garden party I am not aware of the details of what he said in his press conference.

REPORTER: On the same subject, if the governor forms a new political party, it could be expected that members of existing parties would switch their allegiance to the new party. Given that the Government's current majority in the House of Representatives is already very fine, are measures in place to ensure the foundations of the administration and prevent further members leaving the party?

(Abridged)

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In the context of preserving the foundations of the administration, it is the case that the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is engaged in various efforts to ensure that the political base remains stable, including the formation the other day of a parliamentary grouping with the People's New Party.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Governor Ishihara has adopted a very confrontational style in his dealings with the Government over many issues, including that of the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands. What sort of impact would the formation of a national party by such a person have on the management of the Government administration?

For example, Minister for National Policy Maehara was roundly criticized for speaking about the details of the meeting between Prime Minister Noda and Governor Ishihara, which would suggest that relations between the Governor and the Government are not good. What are your thoughts on this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: With regard to the Government acquisition of the Senkaku Islands, this was an issue on which consultations took place in various ways, and I consider that we received general support from the public for the way the matter was handled, although naturally I am aware that there were some critical opinions.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a related note, the Governor of Tokyo will be resigning his position part way through his period of office. This decision was made by the governor himself, but what is the reaction of the Government to this decision?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Speaking in general terms, it is the case that all local leaders have a specific term of office. They put themselves up for election on a platform of various pledges and if they are to implement and realize such pledges, then I believe that in general it is necessary for them to complete their full term of office. The case of the Governor of Osaka Prefecture was an unusual one. Although the governor did not complete his term of office, instead he brought forward the gubernatorial election to coincide with the mayoral election for Osaka City. This is a format that has not been seen very often in Japan. However, in general the natural format is for an elected official to fully serve his or her four-year term of office.

REPORTER: I would like to confirm the current status and movements of the Chinese vessels that entered Japan's territorial waters this morning. Also, could you give us the details of any actions that have been taken by the Government since Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kawai lodged a protest by telephone with the Chinese Ambassador to Japan?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I will first of all provide you with information on the current status. A total of four Chinese "Haijian" maritime surveillance vessels were confirmed to have entered Japan's territorial waters this morning and by 2:09 pm all of the vessels had left Japan's territorial waters. In addition, as of 3:00 pm today, a total of seven Chinese vessels are confirmed to be sailing in waters in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands. They comprise four "Haijian" maritime surveillance vessels, two "Yuzheng" patrol ships of China's Fishery Agency and one "Donghaijiu" rescue and salvage vessel, which had not been encountered until today. For further details, please direct your questions to the Japan Coast Guard. From this morning, through various routes and at various levels protests have been lodged, and at 9:45 am this morning the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs lodged a protest with the Chinese Ambassador to Japan. Since then no further actions have been taken on our part.

REPORTER: Is the "Donghaijiu" a Chinese naval vessel? What kind of vessel is it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: For further details you should inquire to the Japan Coast Guard, but to the best of my knowledge it is a rescue and salvage vessel of the Ministry of Transport of China. Therefore there is probably no mistaking that it is a Chinese government vessel.