Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Press reports on North Korea's preparations for another missile launch
• The Osaka District Court's ruling requesting the partial disclosure of the "secret funds" of the Cabinet Secretariat

REPORTER: There is information to suggest that North Korea is making preparations for another missile launch. What information does the Government have about such preparations and what response is being made?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I am aware of the press reports about this matter. Developments relating to North Korean missiles are of grave concern to the Government and therefore we are normally engaged in efforts to collect and analyze information and intelligence. As usual, given the nature of each specific item of information, I would like to refrain from further comment. Whatever the case, I would like to state that there is no change to the Government's stance of continuing to collect and analyze information that concerns North Korean missile developments, and making every effort to ensure the peace and safety of Japan.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: The preparations by North Korea seem to suggest a threat to the international community. Also, at the same time, Japan is engaged in consultations with North Korea. What sort of impact do you think the threat presented by a missile launch would have on the Japan-North Korea consultations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: You have just mentioned a threat, and as I have just stated, the Government is constantly monitoring the situation, but I can say nothing more specific than that. With regard to the Japan-North Korea consultations, it is the case that various arrangements are being coordinated via the embassy route in Beijing. The monitoring of developments and arrangements towards the next round of consultations are two separate matters that are being advanced in parallel.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a related note, is the Government currently considering issuing a request to North Korea to show self-restraint with regard to a missile launch?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As I have already stated, I am aware of the reports about this matter, but I will not go into any further specifics. There is nothing more than that.

REPORTER: Last Thursday the Osaka District Court issued a ruling requesting the partial disclosure of the "secret funds" of the Cabinet Secretariat. What will be the Government's response to this ruling and what is the current status of considerations, given the fact that since you were appointed to the position of Chief Cabinet Secretary you have sought to establish disclosure criteria with regard to these "secret funds"?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: The ruling handed down by the Osaka District Court on November 22 was a severe one for the Government, however, the content of the ruling will be duly analyzed and the Government will seek to decide on a response, in consultation with other relevant bodies. Also, with regard to the latter part of your question, from the perspective of ensuring transparency of funds, since last year when I was appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary, considerations have been advanced on how to achieve such transparency. Various examples of disclosure criteria from overseas have been gathered and although it has been difficult to know the precise details of the overseas examples, the work is currently being expedited. In the near future I expect that a basic concept will be compiled and I will announce it in the form of a personal proposal. As it will be in the form of a personal proposal, once a new Cabinet is formed I would hope that it would be taken on by that Cabinet as a proposal by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura.

(Abridged)