Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• A meeting of the Reconstruction Promotion Council
• The Prime Minister's plan to visit Okinawa

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved six general (and other) measures and also the promulgation of a treaty, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, respectively, made statements concerning the preliminary results of the 2012 Economic Census for Business Activity.

Regarding the Reconstruction Promotion Council, today, the Reconstruction Promotion Council convened a meeting, and a review of the reconstruction funding framework was decided. In addition, Minister Nemoto delivered a report regarding the initiatives for the time being for the acceleration of reconstruction, etc., about which the Prime Minister gave instructions at the previous meeting (January 10). The Prime Minister instructed that the initiatives to accelerate reconstruction proceed in concrete terms under the leadership of the Minister for Reconstruction based on the "Fukushima-Tokyo dual headquarter system."

At the Cabinet meeting, it was decided that Mr. Masahiro Nakajima, Director-General of the Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, will replace Mr. Yukiyoshi Minehisa, Vice-Minister of the Reconstruction Agency, who will be leaving his post effective February 1. Effective February 1, Mr. Minehisa will be appointed to the position of Special Advisor to the Cabinet and will contribute to the local response to make progress on the dual headquarter system in order to thoroughly ensure a "hands-on approach" for reconstruction. Minister Nemoto will be announcing the details separately.

Prime Minister Abe is scheduled to make a day-trip to Okinawa on Saturday, February 2. With the Prime Minister himself travelling to Okinawa, it is hoped that this visit will serve as the first step to rebuilding trust with Okinawa, which has been eroded over the past three years. As the itinerary or the details are still being arranged, I will be informing them to you at another time.

Q&As

• The relocation of Futenma Air Station
• Consideration on the domestic production of F35 parts

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to the relocation of Futenma Air Station, Okinawa has maintained its firm opposition. In fact, I almost get the impression that Okinawa has been reinforcing its firm opposition. Meanwhile, the Government has not budged from its position to go ahead. Amid this significant divergence between the two sides, what are the Government's expectations or what does the Government aim to achieve in this visit?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I believe it is meaningful for the Prime Minister to visit the site and exchange various views in person. From this standpoint, the Prime Minister wished to visit Okinawa as soon as possible. The visit is being realized in this context.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the domestic production of F35 (fighter jet) parts, an article about which appeared on the front page of Sankei Shimbun. I understand that if the F35 parts are made in Japan, concerns are being raised within both the Governments of Japan and the United States (U.S.) that part of the production will not be in accordance with the Three Principles on Arms Exports. Can you verify the facts? Also, if this turns out to be true, how does the Government intend to deal with this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First, I am aware that adjustments are being made with the U.S. for Japanese companies to participate in the production of F35 parts. As to what you just mentioned regarding how the Government will handle this in terms of the Three Principles on Arms Exports, this is currently being reviewed within the Government.

(Abridged)