Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games
• The draft basic policy of the Children and Other Victim's Living Support Act

REPORTER: I believe a short while ago Governor of Tokyo Inose was here at the Prime Minister's Office and met with the Prime Minister. Can you please elaborate on what the two specifically discussed?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: I have not yet been able to follow-up on the details. I understand that essentially the main purpose was to express gratitude for the Government's support of the Olympic bid activities.

REPORTER: The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled for July 24 to August 9, 2020. Meanwhile, under both the plans of Istanbul and Madrid that lost the bid, the Olympics were scheduled for August 7 to 27. What was the reason that Japan chose this period of July 24 to August 9? Was it to avoid the Obon period for reasons of Japanese custom? Or was it also to avoid August 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II, for political reasons?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: With regard to the dates of the Olympics, first of all, the way it works is that the respective candidate cities make proposals, including the dates. The dates you just mentioned, July 24 to August 9, were chosen by no means with the anniversary of the end of the war in mind. There were several reasons for these dates. First, the weather is often nice during this period. Based on past experience, we can say that there will be many nice and sunny days during this period. This will allow athletes to give their best performance. Secondly, the dates fall on summer break. Therefore, road congestion will not be as bad, and this will make it easier for many people to attend. If, on the contrary, the Olympics were held during the Obon period, the Shinkansen trains and airports will be very congested, and this would make operations difficult. Thirdly, this is the time when Japanese traditional omatsuri festivals are held across the country. The country will be in high celebratory mood, and it will be the perfect time for foreign nationals to visit Japan. Another reason is that these dates do not overlap with the dates of any other major international sports tournaments. The bid committee took these factors into consideration in making the decision. These reasons have already been submitted when Tokyo filed its candidacy. There is something called a candidacy file, and in this file, these dates were proposed with the reasons attached.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have another question regarding the Olympics. For holding the Olympics, does the Government have any intention to newly establish the post of a minister in charge of the Olympics? And if you do establish it, what would be the aim or purpose for the establishment?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: In the past, the post of minister in charge of the Olympics was assigned for the Tokyo Olympics and Sapporo Olympics, respectively. On the other hand, this post was not assigned for the Nagano Olympics. As of now, there is no truth that the Abe Cabinet has decided to assign a minister in charge of the Olympics. The Government setup for organizing the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics is being explored at this very moment from a variety of angles, the most important perspective being that the Government shall unite to make maximum efforts to make the Tokyo Olympics a success. In this light, we will have to see what happens on the basis of the outcomes of the considerations.

REPORTER: Following the release of the draft basic policy of the Children and Other Victims' Living Support Act, I believe the league of diet members that promotes the Act requested the Reconstruction Agency to further reflect the opinions of the victims obtained through public hearings, public comments, and other means. What is the view of the Government regarding this matter?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: The draft basic policy of the Children and Other Victims' Living Support Act was disclosed on August 30, and we are now in the midst of seeking public comments. I understand that with regard to this draft basic policy, yesterday, the league of diet members went to the Reconstruction Agency and requested the extension of the public comment period and that the opinions of the victims are sufficiently reflected when the Cabinet approves the basic policy. In view of this request and the opinions we have received from victims directly, we have extended the public comment period to Monday, September 23, which is a holiday. While the 13th was the original deadline, we have extended the period by ten days. Furthermore, in the sense of further reflecting the opinions of the victims, an informational session will be held in Fukushima today, and in Tokyo two days from now on the 13th, to directly hear the opinions of the victims. The Government will continue to address this matter for the final approval of the basic policy, while bearing in mind the requests of the league of diet members on children and other victims and the variety of opinions received through informational sessions, public comments, and other means.

(Abridged)