Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The 2012 Japan-U.S. Bilateral Joint Exercise

REPORTER: Japan and the United States began joint military exercises today. Could you share with us the objectives of these exercises and could you also please explain why the exercises are closed to the media unlike on previous occasions?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The 2012 Japan-U.S. Bilateral Joint Exercise is scheduled to take place from today until November 16 at Self-Defense Force (SDF) and U.S. bases as well as in the territorial waters and airspace of Japan. This exercise is not being carried out with any particular country or region in mind. The objective is to maintain and improve cooperation between Japan and the United States by mobilizing major military units of the SDF and U.S. military. It is expected that this will further enhance the credibility of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements. You also asked about media coverage of the exercise. The Ministry of Defense considered a number of factors, including safety management and information security, and concluded that the media would only be given access by way of Ministry of Defense press releases. I have been informed that no interviews during the exercise period are scheduled; therefore please contact the Ministry of Defense for further details.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on a similar topic. Some see that these exercises are being carried out in consideration of China, whose relationship with Japan continues to deteriorate, in mind.

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I stated earlier when discussing the objectives of the exercise, the exercise is being conducted without any particular country or region in mind, and I do not believe that I need to comment any further.

(Abridged)