Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The Prime Minister's plan to visit Fukuoka City and Shinjuku Ward
• The first meeting of the Nuclear Disaster Reconstruction Promotion Team

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would first like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 19 general and other measures as well as a legislation proposal and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Nakatsuka made a statement concerning the FY2012 "Family Day and Family Week," and I made a statement concerning the visit of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino to Thailand.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Noda and the Minister of Finance made a statement concerning the use of the FY2011 Audit Report. Minister Tarutoko made a statement concerning the fourth review of the system of obligations (gimuzuke) and frameworks (wakuzuke). Minister Nakatsuka made a statement concerning the holding of the Campaign for Eliminating Violence against Women.

Next, I would like to speak about Prime Minister Noda's itinerary. Tomorrow, Saturday, November 10, Prime Minister Noda is expected to visit the Kawabata Shopping Arcade in Fukuoka City. Also, the day after tomorrow, Sunday, November 11, the Prime Minister is expected to visit "The First Here, Karamatsuri" festival at a child-raising support facility organized by Shinjuku Ward. Specifically, on November 10, the Prime Minister will: (1) visit a shopping arcade which was revived through a variety of initiatives; and (2) exchange views with people associated with the shopping arcade, owners of small- and medium-sized businesses, and others. On November 11, I understand that the Prime Minister is expected to chat in a circle with mothers and fathers who are raising children, among other activities.

I have one more announcement. Today, from 5 pm, the first meeting will be held of the Nuclear Disaster Reconstruction Promotion Team, which was decided to be established at the meeting of the Reconstruction Promotion Council on October 16. The meeting will be chaired by me, and is expected to be attended by the Minister for Reconstruction, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Minister of the Environment, and other relevant officials. The ministers concerned are expected to discuss Fukushima's reconstruction from the nuclear disaster and its recovery measures.

Q&As

• The TPP

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). According to some news reports, the Prime Minister is considering making an announcement about the TPP in the near future. What is the current status of the Government's considerations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of some of the news reports. However, it is not at all the case that such a plan exists at this moment. With regard to the announcement about Japan's participation in the TPP, it is as it has been explained at the Diet a number of times, which, if I may explain briefly, is that realizing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) is a goal that is already held in common both within Japan and overseas. The Government intends to continue to promote high-level economic partnerships and exert leadership in formulating new rules on trade and investment. To that end, taking as a major premise the securing of our national interests, we will protect those areas that should be protected and promote simultaneously and in parallel the TPP, a Japan-China-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in East Asia. There is no fact whatsoever that the Government has decided to make an announcement at a specific point in time about participating in the TPP negotiations.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The Government has consistently been saying it will "take as a major premise the securing of our national interests." However, both the United States (U.S.) and those in Japan are demanding greater coordination within Japan. How does the Cabinet, which pledges to promote (the TPP), intend to enhance coordination within the country?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It will be the same efforts which the Government has been making persistently up to now. The Government, as well as of course the ruling party, will provide careful explanations of the various stages of the preliminary consultations. Domestically, while offering thorough explanations of these issues, we will gradually obtain the understanding of the people. Thus, we will be moving forward while keeping an eye on these matters.

REPORTER: Regarding this matter, it seems that yesterday, at the policy consultation of the Nippon Ishin no Kai and Your Party, the parties agreed to make announcing participation in the TPP a common policy pledge. I believe this topic will be one of the issues of contention at the next House of Representatives' elections. Leaving aside the question of when the House of Representatives will be dissolved, do you believe that the Noda administration should reach a conclusion on whether or not to participate in the TPP by the next House of Representatives' elections?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I have stated, there is no fact that the Government has decided to make an official announcement at a specific point in time about participating in the negotiations and so forth. (Abridged) Assuming that there will be elections, given the fact that perhaps not to the extent of splitting public opinion but nevertheless a variety of debates exist considerably, even domestically, on the TPP issue, I believe it is fully possible that this issue will be one of the issues of contention.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: You said that the TPP issue may become an issue of contention in light of the considerable debates which exist domestically. What is your view on the administration's need to clearly show or present its posture before the elections? 

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: Ever since its inauguration last year, the Noda administration has steadily set out this vision. I believe the administration has already been demonstrating this vision while obtaining domestic understanding in a variety of areas. As I have stated repeatedly from earlier, there is no fact that the Government has decided at this moment in time to officially announce Japan's participation.

(Abridged)