Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the extraordinary Cabinet meeting

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I will begin by giving an overview of the extraordinary Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved one general measure, which was the draft of the Policy Speech by Prime Minister Noda to the 181st Session of the Diet. The meeting also approved the Bill on Special Provisions concerning Issuance of Public Bonds to Secure Necessary Financial Resources for Fiscal Management, which will be submitted to the Diet.

Q&As

• The 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit
• The Prime Minister's policy speech to the 181st Session of the Diet
• Former Prime Minister Hatoyama's statement on the Senkaku Islands

(Abridged)

REPORTER: What is the Government's view concerning the likelihood of a Japan-China Summit Meeting being held on the occasion of the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, which is scheduled to be held in the Lao People's Democratic Republic on November 5 and 6?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The most correct information concerning this point would be to say that although the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend the ASEM Summit, nothing has yet been decided with regard to the scheduling of the Summit.

REPORTER: Given the current spotlight on Japan-China relations, does the Government recognize the necessity for a Japan-China Summit Meeting to be arranged during the course of November, either at the ASEM Summit, or at the East Asia Summit, which is scheduled from November 18 to 20?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The matter is currently being considered, including whether such a meeting is necessary or not, and at the current point nothing has been decided.

REPORTER: You have just mentioned that the draft of the Prime Minister's Policy Speech was approved in the Cabinet meeting. However, the extraordinary Diet session is marking an unprecedented start in that a plenary session of the House of Councilors is not being convened. What is the Government's reaction to this unusual course of events?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: There are press reports that suggest that it is the first time under the current Constitution for the Prime Minister to address only the plenary session of the House of Representatives, however, I have not confirmed whether this is actually the case or not. I would have thought that it is of great importance for the Diet to be convened in a standard manner, however, given the various views in each of the houses of the Diet, the Government has complied with the instructions as they have been given.

REPORTER: In today's Cabinet meeting, did Prime Minister Noda make any statements with regard to the convocation of the extraordinary Diet session?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Prime Minister did not make any statements in either the Cabinet meeting itself, or ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Last weekend former Prime Minister Hatoyama stated that the situation  of the Senkaku Islands should be emphasized as a territorial issue. What is the Government's reaction to this statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Members of opposition parties have also emphasized various points about this matter, but as Mr. Hatoyama is a member of the ruling party, I would like to state the Government's position clearly. 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. Accordingly, there exists no issue to be resolved concerning the Senkaku Islands, even if Mr. Hatoyama referred to it as an issue of sovereignty or a territorial issue. This has always been the Government's consistent stance.

REPORTER: Does the Government intend to request Mr. Hatoyama to revise or correct his statement?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I have just stated, in response to your question, the clear and consistent stance of the Government on this matter.