Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

• An overview of the Cabinet meeting
• The holding of a ministerial council on Tokyo's bid to host the 32nd Olympic Games and 16th Paralympic Games
• The Council for Science and Technology Policy
• The holding of a meeting of the Security Council, and the cabinet approval on the participation of industries of Japan to the production etc. of F-35
• Japan-ROK relations

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I would first like to read out the content of the Cabinet meeting and other items.

I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved 15 general measures, the promulgation of legislation, legislation proposals, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions.

With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister of the Environment made a statement concerning the enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Recycling of Used Small Electronic Devices, etc. Minister Shimomura and Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning the "Responses to Bullying and Other Issues (First Proposal)" of the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council. The Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the findings of the Fact-finding Survey on Reducing, etc. the Public Burden of Application Procedures (related to the Great East Japan Earthquake), as well as the results of the labour force survey, the consumer price index, and the results of the household budget survey. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare made a statement concerning the national ratio of jobs to applicants (January 2013). The Minister of Defense, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and I, respectively, made a statement concerning the participation of industries of Japan to the production etc. of  F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Minister of Finance, and Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning the holding of a ministerial council on Tokyo's bid to host the 32nd Olympic Games and 16th Paralympic Games. Minister Mori made a statement concerning the holding of the Suicide Countermeasures Reinforcement Month.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Minister Yamamoto made a statement concerning the Cabinet decision regarding the legislation proposal for the partial amendment of the Act for Establishment of the Cabinet Office, etc. and the way forward regarding the IT Strategic Headquarters. Minister Furuya, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the responses to the heavy snowfall of this winter season.

I would like to speak about the holding of a ministerial council on Tokyo's bid to host the 32nd Olympic Games and 16th Paralympic Games. Today's Cabinet meeting approved the holding of a ministerial council on Tokyo's bid to host the 32nd Olympic Games and 16th Paralympic Games, which would be chaired by the Prime Minister and would comprise of all ministers of state, in order for the Government to make a concerted effort to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. The first meeting was held following the Cabinet meeting. At the meeting, at the outset, the Prime Minister instructed all ministers to work together closely on Tokyo's bid and to make a strategic, Government-wide effort both inside and outside of Japan. The meeting reviewed measures for the visit of the International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission planned from March 4, among other matters. Regarding other details, I ask that you please direct your questions to the ministries concerned.

A short while ago, the Council for Science and Technology Policy convened its first meeting following the appointment of the Council's new members by the Prime Minister prior to the meeting. At the meeting, the executive members made recommendations regarding the way forward for the Council for Science and Technology Policy. The Prime Minister instructed that intensive deliberations take place regarding the following three proposed items by mid-2013 and that the findings are compiled. For details, I ask that you please inquire the Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Yamamoto.

Today, the Security Council held a meeting ahead of the Cabinet meeting. At the meeting of the Security Council, deliberations took place on the participation of industries of Japan to the production etc. of F-35. The outcome of the deliberations was approved at the Cabinet meeting that followed. As stated in the material in front of you, the content was that, considering that the participation of industries of Japan will greatly contribute to the security of Japan, , it was decided to deal with the participation of industries of Japan to the production etc. of F-35 under the system outside the Three Principles on Arms Exports, on the premise that strict control is in place under the integrated control by the U.S. Government, under a new system called Autonomic Logistic Global Sustainment (ALGS) in which all F-35 user countries will globally share the components. For details, I ask that you please inquire at the briefing which a staff member will be holding following this press conference. 

That is all from me.                            

Q&As

REPORTER: There is a possibility that Israel will purchase F-35 aircraft, in which case, it has been pointed out that this could result in the Three Principles on Arms Exports becoming principles in name only, or being watered down. What explanation does the Government intend to provide concerning compliance and consistency with the Three Principles?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: A new method is in the process of being adopted for the international logistics support system known as Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS), which allows for interoperability of components on a global scale. By participating in this system, the components can be supplied quickly when necessary, and prompt sustainment operations will become possible. Japan has decided to participate in ALGS in order to maintain the operational availability of F-35 at a more appropriate cost.

With regard to the case of Israel, the transfer of components and other items under the ALGS system is under the integrated control of the U.S. Government and therefore the transfer to countries other than F-35 users is severely restricted. Furthermore, the transfer is restricted to those countries that conform to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. In this way strict management of the system is ensured.

REPORTER: What do you think will be the impact of the statement you have issued today on Japan's defense-related industries?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: We believe that the participation of industries of Japan is significant, as it will help to ensure maintaining the base of operation and sustainment (of fighters of Air Self-Defense Force) , and will also contribute to maintaining, cultivating, and sophisticating Japan's  defense industry and technology infrastructure through access to the latest combat equipment technologies and know-how. What is more, it will ensure the stable supply of components and through support to U.S. forces will also secure effective operation of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements. From these perspectives, the participation of Japan's  industry will therefore make a significant contribution to the nation's security.

REPORTER: As you have just mentioned, it is true that a new logistics support system is being created. However, the fact remains that the Three Principles on Arms Exports are in place and by issuing a statement in the name of the Chief Cabinet Secretary noting that Japan is to participate seems to indicate that participation is being implemented as an exception to the Three Principles. Given the changing international environment, does the Government intend to revise the Three Principles in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: It is the case that the method employed under the ALGS system has been revamped, which is something that had not been anticipated previously. It is against this backdrop that a new statement has been issued. It should be noted that under the previous administration of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) the interpretation of the Three Principles had already undergone some changes. The inclusion of all components under the new method for ALGS was something that had not been covered before and this is why it was necessary to issue a new statement. The situation is one that will continue to be monitored with regard to the Three Principles.

REPORTER: With regard to the possibility of the export of components to Israel, and given the fact that Israel has tense relations with neighboring Middle Eastern countries, how does the Government seek to define "avoiding any possible aggravation of international conflicts," which is the basic principle of the Three Principles on Arms Exports, vis-à-vis Israel?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, the transfer of Japanese-made components will limited only to F-35 user countries that conform to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. In addition, without the approval of the U.S. Government, transfer to countries other than F-35 users will not be permitted, which is one significant binding commitment, and Israel has already announced its intention to purchase F-35 aircraft. Israel was already a party to the ALGS system and therefore I do not think that the case of Israel, as you mentioned it in your question, applies to the Three Principles.

REPORTER: The term "components" covers various items, but what specifically are being anticipated as components for transfer? What are the particular features of the overall F-35 project in which Japanese-made components will feature strongly?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: A more detailed briefing will be provided later, but I believe that the Japanese-made items will be parts of components. Although Japan is not engaged in joint development activities, by participating in the ALGS system for components it is anticipated that the Japanese defense industry and the technology infrastructure will be maintained, cultivated,  and further sophisticated. It is with this in mind that Japan has decided to participate in the system.

REPORTER: At the end of the statement there is reference to the basic philosophy of Japan as a peace-loving nation that conforms to the United Nations Charter. In the previous version of the statement, the expression used was slightly different, including reference to "avoiding aggravation of international conflicts," such as in the case of Israel. What was the aim in rewording the expression in this way?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: There are also issues such as the fight against terrorism to bear in mind. Accordingly, measures need to be taken against terrorism in order to ensure the peace and stability of the international community. Based on the basic philosophy of Japan as a peace-loving nation, and in compliance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, which sets forth the goal of resolving conflicts peacefully and maintaining international peace and security, it was determined that the expression used in the statement on this occasion would be appropriate and therefore it was changed to reflect this decision. Whatever the case, Japan's basic philosophy as a peace-loving nation remains unchanged.

REPORTER: Does the Government still maintain the principle of avoiding aggravation of conflicts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes. As you can see, the wording makes it clear that actions are taken in compliance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, which sets forth the goal of resolving conflicts peacefully and maintaining international peace and security. In a situation in which terrorism and other incidents are actually taking place, it was therefore decided by the Government to use the expression that is written in the statement.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning historical issues. In an address given at a ceremony to commemorate the March 1st Movement, the president of the Republic of Korea (ROK) stated that Japan should face history directly and take responsible action as well as implementing active change, calling on the Government of Japan to make moves to resolve historical issues. What are the Government's thoughts concerning this address?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Whatever the case, like Japan, the ROK is an ally of the United States and therefore is always positioned as an extremely important partner for Japan when we consider regional peace and safety, including the issue of North Korea. Although there are difficult issues in both countries, by seeking mutual understanding the Government seeks to build future-oriented, multi-faceted relations with the ROK, utilizing the opportunity of the inauguration of the new presidential administration. In the meeting that took place recently between Deputy Prime Minister Aso and the new president, this was a point that both sides confirmed.

REPORTER: The Abe administration is seeking to define relations with the ROK as "future-oriented." However, in the address given by the newly inaugurated president of the ROK today, it was clearly mentioned that in order to progress to the future, actions with change and responsibility on the part of the Government of Japan are required. Do these two stances not actually contradict one another?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you are all aware, Japan and the ROK face difficult issues from their respective national stances. However, we believe that it is the role of the Government to overcome these problems and build a future-oriented relationship.