Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato

• The overview of the Cabinet meeting

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I would like to give an overview of the Cabinet meeting. The meeting approved one general measure, cabinet orders, and personnel decisions. With regard to statements by ministers, Minister Mori made a statement concerning the FY2013 Family Day and Family Week. The Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement concerning the treatment of the Official Working Visit to Japan of H.E. Mr. Viktor Orb?n, Prime Minister of Hungary, and his wife.

In ministerial discussions following the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Abe and the Minister of Finance, respectively, made statements concerning the use of the FY2012 Audit Report.

Q&As

• The issue related to the right to collective self-defense
• The issue related to House of Councillors member Taro Yamamoto for handing a letter to His Majesty the Emperor
• The issue related to House of Councillors member Antonito Inoki' s visit to North Korea
• The issue related to the radiation exposure limit

REPORTER: Some media have reported that the Government has decided to take its time until the summer of next year to discuss the review of the interpretation of the right to collective self-defense. At this point in time, what is the Government's perspective of this discussion?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: With regard to the issue of the right to collective self-defense, among other matters, currently the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security has been studying how the right to collective self-defense should be conceived in order to maintain peace and security in Japan, bearing in mind that the security environment surrounding Japan has further increased in severity since the release of the Advisory Panel's previous report. As we have been saying, the Government would like to wait until the Advisory Panel of experts concludes of its discussions. Furthermore, the upcoming schedule, including the timing of the submission of the report, is currently undecided.

REPORTER: The Committee on Rules and Administration of the House of Councillors, at its directorate meeting, has decided on the dispositions for House of Councillors member Taro Yamamoto for handing a letter to His Majesty the Emperor. Two measures have been imposed: 1) a strong warning from the President of the House of Councillors; and 2) prohibition against participating in Imperial Family events. What are your thoughts regarding these measures and its appropriateness?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: In any case, this was a decision made by the House of Councillors as a chamber of the Diet, and I do not think the Government is in a position to make any particular comments regarding this.

REPORTER: I have a related question. Today, the House of Councillors will also conduct a hearing with House of Councillors member Antonio Inoki, who visited North Korea without obtaining the Diet's authorization. How do you regard this matter?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: This is another matter which, in principle, is being deliberated or reviewed by the House of Councillors. As we have stated from before, the Government urges Japanese nationals, including Diet members, to refrain from traveling to North Korea. Accordingly, I believe Diet members have also shared this understanding from before.

REPORTER: According to some media reports, the Nuclear Regulation Authority will revise the radiation exposure limit for residents to return home to a maximum of 20 mSv/year. What is your understanding of this issue?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I am aware of these media reports. However, I am not aware of the veracity of what is stated in the reports.

(Abridged)