Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japanese domestic politics and major policies including economic measures

REPORTER: At yesterday's interpellation session of the Diet, the Prime Minister mentioned new economic measures as a condition for the dissolution of the House of Representatives, using the words "bearing in mind the economic situation." Specifically, what kind of new economic measures does the Prime Minister foresee? Does he have something else in mind aside from the economic measures to be compiled in mid-November which will use the reserve funds?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I believe this is fully clear if you read the Prime Minister's response made yesterday. First of all, I believe your interpretation is a bit of a stretch by using the words, "a condition for the dissolution of the House of Representatives." With regard to "seeking the public's verdict," all that the Prime Minister stated was that this will be done "exactly as [he has] explained to date." However, he did say that "it is necessary to take appropriate and seamless economic measures as necessary, including the use of public finance." He stated that, "Economic measures which make use of reserve funds were decided on October 26 last week," and that, "[he has] instructed that the second round of economic measures be compiled by the end of this month at the latest, which will contribute to the realization of the Comprehensive Strategy for the Rebirth of Japan and the recovery and reconstruction efforts." He said, "In order to ensure that we do not have an economic slowdown caused by politics, [he believes] a variety of items need to be done, including the passage of the legislation on the issuance of special government bonds at the earliest possible date, or the implementation of continuous economic measures, as well as steady preparations for the formulation of the budget." However, this is separate from the issue of seeking the public's verdict, which will be happening as has been explained to date. The Prime Minister did not say that the economic measures have anything to do with the dissolution or that they were a condition, and I believe that is not what he has in mind.

REPORTER: I would like to confirm with you on this point. In reference to "going to the people," the Prime Minister responded that he will "make a decision [on the dissolution] after the necessary tasks are carried out, including responding to the economic situation." From this kind of response, it is a bit hard to conceive that the responses to the economy are unrelated to preparing an enabling environment for the dissolution. Can you once again clarify this point?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The Prime Minister responded that, "With regard to going to the people in the near term, [he] will make a decision after the necessary tasks are carried out, including responding to the economic situation, and upon preparing an enabling environment." Although he is not stating that without this he cannot make a decision, I believe he was expressing his view at this moment in time. As I said a moment ago, I believe it is a stretch to interpret that these are conditions for seeking the public's verdict.

REPORTER: On this same matter, if I may confirm one more thing. In relation to the dissolution, the Prime Minister stated that he "would like to make a decision if the conditions are met," referring to the items he presented at the meeting among the party leaders, that is, the passage of the legislation on the issuance of special government bonds, correcting the disparity in the relative weight of one vote, and the establishment of a national council on social security." Until now, senior officials of the administration hardly used the word "conditions." In contrast, I believe the Prime Minister stated "conditions" quite explicitly in his response. Leaving aside the issue of the economy, is it correct to understand that the Prime Minister recognizes that the three items are clearly conditions for dissolution?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is not as though because something is a condition, then something will happen. With respect to seeking the public's verdict, this is as has been explained to date. It has been stated consistently that the decision to dissolve is under the exclusive authority of the Prime Minister. Therefore, I believe they should not really be seen as being related to each other.

REPORTER: I have one more item I would like to confirm. While you said that they were not related, is it correct to understand on the basis of the series of the Prime Minister's responses that he attaches significant weight to the three items in the context of preparing an enabling environment for the dissolution?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: At the very least, with regard to the legislation on the issuance of special government bonds, there will truly be a budgetary shortfall in November without this legislation. In this sense, I believe it is natural that this carries a heavy weight. In addition, measures to correct the disparity in the relative weight of one vote concern Diet affairs, and the countdown to the deadline of the mandate for the national council has already begun. I believe the Prime Minister also judges that these measures must be implemented without any further wait.

(Abridged)