Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting

First I would like to give an overview of today's Cabinet Meeting. The meeting approved three general (and other) measures, cabinet orders and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the results of the labor force survey and the household budget survey; the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the national ratio of jobs to applicants (December 2012); and the Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement concerning emergency grant aid for flood damage in the Republic of Indonesia.

Q&As

• Consideration on the right to collective self-defense
• The TPP

REPORTER: It has been reported that a meeting of experts and an advisory meeting in relation to the right to collective self-defense will be held as early as February 8. Could you share with us the facts concerning this report?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: With regard to the right to collective self-defense, the Government has decided to commence discussions on developing a new approach that is appropriate for the new security environment, while considering the report of the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security. We are currently discussing specific methods and schedules.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on a related topic. I understand that a summit meeting with President Obama is scheduled to take place sometime in mid-to-late February. Does the Government have any intention of accelerating discussions on these issues prior to the summit meeting?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I believe that whatever the situation may be, the Government will start discussions on the items that I just mentioned while taking matters like the summit meeting into consideration.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Diet deliberations have commenced and I see that there were a number of questions regarding the comments made by the Prime Minister concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with the Prime Minister responding in turn. Moves by those reluctant to participate in the TPP within the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan have been very noticeable. How do you view this?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: The Government's stance and approach to the TPP are as stated by the Prime Minister during the Diet interpellation session and I understand that our stance and approach have not seen any notable changes.

(Abridged)