Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The system design of a reduced tax rate and alternative funding for the special corporate tax for reconstruction
• The issues related to Typhoon No.26
• The issues related to the special intelligence protection bill
• Prime Minister Abe's offering of a "masakaki" (a votive stick) to Yasukuni Shrine
• The ROK's total ban on the import of fishery products from designated areas of Japan
• Japan's expectation to Ms. Kennedy, the new U.S. Ambassador to Japan

REPORTER: During the interpellation session of the plenary session of the House of Representatives, Secretary General Inoue of the New Komeito Party stressed the need to work quickly to design a system of a reduced tax rate. With regard to ending the special corporate tax for reconstruction one year ahead of the schedule, Secretary General Inoue underscored the need to secure alternative funding, among other matters. How does the Government intend to deal with these issues underlined by the ally party?   

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: These issues include matters that the Government would have address in any case, and we must coordinate fully with the ruling parties. As this is not an issue of having different orientations, I believe these are matters which should be coordinated through sufficient discussion.

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the background as to why an emergency warning was not issued for Izu Oshima Island which suffered heavy damages as a result of Typhoon No. 26. First of all, what do you think about the response taken by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)? Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga has noted the need for investigations, and furthermore, the party, that is, the Special Committee on Disasters of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has expressed the opinion that mechanisms of providing information should be explored. What is your opinion regarding this?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Based on past large-scale disasters extending over a broad area, for example, the damages from the heavy rain in the Kii Peninsula caused by Typhoon No. 12 in 2011 or the damages from the heavy rain in northern Kyushu in July 2012, JMA has been issuing emergency warnings as a supplementary measure. In the case of Typhoon No. 26, in accordance with this criteria, JMA did not issue an emergency warning as the heavy rain was localized phenomenon. Nonetheless, I believe the provision of weather information requires constant improvement efforts. Treating the fact that many people have died as a result of this typhoon with great gravity, I believe we need to carefully examine what kinds of improvements should be made going forward.

REPORTER: I understand that emergency warnings are issued on a prefectural basis. Is it possible that this system will be reviewed?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: It is not necessarily issued on a prefectural basis. There are 5km × 5km grid boxes. I understand that 50 boxes generally equal a normal prefecture-scale area. Under the existing rule, an emergency warning is issued when heavy rain is concentrated in around 50 boxes. Naturally this rule does not apply to areas like remote islands, and Izu Oshima Island sustained damages. Therefore, we will conduct a careful investigation and examine improvements going forward.

REPORTER: During Typhoon No. 18 in September, there were some municipalities that did not issue an evacuation advisory despite the JMA's issuance of an emergency warning. How do you conceive the relationship between emergency warnings and evacuation advisories?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: In principle, I believe it is up to the municipalities to make the decision regarding the issuance of evacuation advisories. Furthermore, when warnings are issued - not just emergency warnings, I believe it is the municipalities that have to decide whether or not to evacuate residents based on the circumstances of the respective areas, among other factors. While right now I believe we are still at the stage in which utmost efforts should be given towards the rescue of the missing people, at a slightly later stage I believe we need to carefully investigate the relationship between emergency warnings or standard warnings and evacuations ordered by each municipality.

REPORTER: What is the current status of considerations relating to the designation of the damages from this typhoon as a "disaster of extreme severity"?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: To designate a disaster of extreme severity, an array of legal requirements is involved, such as the cost of the damages. Therefore, we have instructed relevant ministries and agencies to quickly gauge the extent of the cost of the damages. Upon reviewing the circumstances, we would like to act accordingly.

REPORTER: Is my understanding correct that you are considering this with a positive outlook?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Until we first know what the cost of the damages is, we do not know. First, we have to work on getting this information.

REPORTER: During this morning's plenary session of the House of Councillors, the Prime Minister responded that in the past 15 years, there have been 5 cases of information leakage by public servants. I believe the Prime Minister was explaining the significance of enacting the special intelligence protection bill. Given that such cases took place despite the restrictions which are already in place under the Self-Defense Forces Act and the National Public Service Act, can you once again explain whether the special intelligence protection bill can prevent such incidents as well as explain the significance of this bill?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: With regard to these cases, I believe the Prime Minister was responding to questions which were raised during today's plenary session. The Prime Minister himself stated in his response that it is very problematic that these cases have been occurred. I believe that is the bottom line. Bearing such things in mind, I believe we need to carefully discuss intelligence protection.

REPORTER: A short while ago, it was disclosed that there have been five cases. Of these cases, the fourth case concerns the information leakage pertaining to the movements of Chinese submarines, which I believe came to light as a result of interviews conducted by the media. In light of the concept of the special intelligence protection law that is in question, can it be said that the media's interview activities at the time were justifiable activities according to your understanding?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: I cannot respond to that question at this present stage. What you are referring to is a matter in the past. Today, in the context of responding to the question of how many problematic cases of information leakage had occurred, the Prime Minister responded in a straightforward manner that in the past there were five cases.

REPORTER: With regard to Prime Minister Abe making an offering of a "masakaki" (a votive stick) to Yasukuni Shrine in the morning, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) released a commentary expressing its deep concern and regret. What is the Japanese Government's view regarding the offering's impact on the Japan-ROK relationship or the Japan-China relationship?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: I am aware that the Prime Minister made an offering of a "masakaki" today. As this concerns an action taken by the Prime Minister in purely a private capacity and as the matter is not of a nature for the Government to state its views, I would like to refrain from commenting.

REPORTER: It has been reported that in connection with the ROK's blanket ban on the import of fishery products from designated areas of Japan, the Japanese Government will explain its views at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Can you explain the factual situation of these reports? Also, what is the Government's analysis of the backdrop against which the ROK does not comply with international rules?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: With regard to the facts, on the 16th, at a meeting of the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Committee) that is currently being held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Japan requested the ROK to swiftly withdraw its import regulatory tightening measure on Japanese fishery products. Through exchanges with the ROK Government, including the provision of accurate and prompt information, Japan will continue to urge the ROK to swiftly withdraw this measure based on scientific grounds.

REPORTER: Regarding this same matter, while I believe that the Japanese Government has taken a variety of similar responses towards the ROK Government in the past, this time, Japan is providing explanations at the WTO, an international organization. How effective do you think this will be?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: The ROK also participates in this SPS Committee meeting, and has said that it is currently reviewing the data which has been provided by Japan thus far. Furthermore, the ROK has said that it would like to ask additional questions in the near future. The ROK has stated at the Committee meeting that it would like to continue to hold technical consultations with Japan bilaterally. Therefore, in order to obtain the ROK's understanding towards the swift withdrawal of its measure, Japan will respond appropriately to additional questions from the ROK and its request for provision of data.

REPORTER: Today, Ms. Kennedy was formally confirmed as the new U.S. Ambassador to Japan. She is expected to take office as early as next month. Can you please explain what Japan's expectations are in connection with the fact that President Obama has deep trust in Ms. Kennedy, who will also be the first female Ambassador to Japan?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: I understand that Ms. Kennedy's nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. First I would like to say that the Government of Japan sincerely welcomes this confirmation. We hope that Ms. Kennedy will assume the post of Ambassador to Japan at an early date and engage actively in a range of areas. In particular, given that President Obama has extremely deep trust in Ms. Kennedy, we look forward to her contribution to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the U.S. in a variety of ways. Ms. Kennedy is also a female Ambassador. Japan hopes that from a woman's perspective, Ms. Kennedy will also fully communicate to the U.S. the ongoing initiatives that the Abe administration is promoting to drive economic growth through the active participation of women.