Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato

• The overview of the Cabinet meeting
• Prime Minister's visit to Fukushima Prefecture
• Prime Minister's visit to Izu Oshima Island to assess the extent of the damage caused by the heavy rains in Oshima Town of Tokyo Prefecture

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: Firstly, I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet Meeting. The meeting approved two measures for submission to the Diet, draft bills and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made statements concerning the implementation of Government Consultation Services Week, and the holding of the National Governors' Conference.

In ministerial discussions, Minister Furuya made statements concerning the damage caused by typhoon No. 26, and the activities of police following typhoon No. 26; and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made a statement concerning the activities of fire authorities in response to the damage caused by typhoon No. 26 in FY 2013.

Secondly, I would like to speak on the Prime Minister visit to Fukushima Prefecture. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Fukushima Prefecture on Saturday, October 19. More specifically, the Prime Minister will first visit Soma City to hear about the test operations of fisheries, which commenced last month, in the waters near Fukushima Prefecture. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Shinchi Town and Minamisoma City to see first hand the lives of those affected by the earthquake and the operations of local businesses to evaluate the progress of reconstruction.

Additionally, the Prime Minister is schedule to make a day trip to Izu Oshima Island on Sunday, October 20, to assess the extent of the damage caused by the heavy rains in Oshima Town of Tokyo Prefecture. We are currently finalizing details with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Q&As

• The visit to Yasukuni Shrine

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Today, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Shindo visited the Yasukuni Shrine after which he stated that the visit was made in a private capacity and that he does not believe that it will develop into a diplomatic issue at all. Could you tell us if this was discussed during today's ministerial discussions? Could you also share with us the Government's thought on his comments that it will not develop into a diplomatic issue?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As for the first question, as the visit was made in a private capacity, it was not discussed during the ministerial discussions at all. To answer your second question, I understand that the comments were on a visit made in a private capacity and therefore I believe that the Government is not in a position to make a comment.

REPORTER: It seems to me that visiting the shrine in a private capacity and whether the visit, when viewed objectively, will have a diplomatic impact or not, are completely separate issues. Are you certain that the Government does not have anything to say?

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Following the Prime Minister's offering of a votive stick to the Yasukuni Shrine yesterday, China and the Republic of Korea have expressed their strong objections. I believe that the Prime Minister made this offering in place of actually visiting the shrine to demonstrate his diplomatic considerations. What are your thoughts that despite this consideration, there was still a strong response?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As I said yesterday in relation to the offering of the votive stick, the Prime Minister made the offering in a private capacity. As I stated earlier, bilateral relationships with China and the Republic of Korea are very important for Japan and therefore the Prime Minister is certain that the Yasukuni Shrine issue does not influence the entire bilateral relationships. Japan will continue to maintain a broad perspective and strengthen these bilateral relations and our relations with other concerned nations.

REPORTER: I believe that you also visited the Yasukuni Shrine this morning. Could you share with us your reason for visiting and the position in which you made the visit?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I believe that it is a natural practice to offer prayers and pray for the peaceful rest of those who sacrificed their precious lives for their country and to express respect for them. I made this morning's visit with other members of the Group of Diet member for Yasukuni Shrine visit, as I have done in the past. I have made visits to the shrine in the same way in the past, so I also did the same this morning.