Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The opinion poll on public support
• The talks between Prime Minister Abe and U.S. Vice President Biden
• The arson attack that damaged the Japanese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

REPORTER: I would like to once again ask you about the opinion poll published by Asahi Shimbun. Our previous poll measured public support for the Cabinet at 53%, but this latest poll now has it at 49%, the first time public support has fallen below 50%. The poll also indicated that 50% opposed the special intelligence protection bill while 25% supported it. Could you share your thoughts on this poll with us?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: We are currently deliberating the special intelligence protection bill in the Diet and we will continue to make efforts to gain public understanding for the bill through Diet deliberations and other means. A number of surveys on public support are conducted and we take these poll results seriously. We will do our utmost to move forward and fulfill our Cabinet responsibilities.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question on this topic. Public support has fallen from 53% to 49%. What do you believe are the reasons for this decrease in support?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: A variety of potential reasons could be conceivable for a fluctuation of four percentage points. We will not waver between hope and despair over each and every fluctuation in the polls, and will concentrate our efforts on fulfilling our responsibilities.

REPORTER: The Prime Minister and U.S. Vice President Biden will be holding talks tomorrow. What outcomes are you expecting from these talks?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: I very much hope that the Prime Minister and U.S. Vice President Biden are able to hold meaningful discussions. Of course, I would expect that the issue of China's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) will naturally be one of the topics discussed. Furthermore, I hope that matters such as Japan's policy for the promotion of women, for which the U.S. has shown a very strong interest, will also be discussed. Ultimately, I very much hope that we will have frank and positive discussions.

REPORTER: Please allow me to ask another question on this topic. There seems to be a slight difference in the ways that Japan and the U.S. have responded to the ADIZ. During their talks, how are the Prime Minister and the Vice President planning to make adjustments regarding this matter?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: I do not think there are any differences at all. The U.S. Government has made its stance very clear. It does not support China's claim and I understand that there is absolutely no discrepancy between the stances of the Japanese and U.S. Governments on this. I believe the two sides will reaffirm their positions during tomorrow's meeting.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A 30 year old official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been arrested in relation to an arson attack that damaged the Japanese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Could you share with us the thoughts of the Government?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: We are aware of the recent arrest. It is extremely regrettable that such an incident occurred at a Japanese embassy. I understand that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the investigative authorities will examine and investigate the incident and respond firmly.