Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: 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, Prime Minister Abe and I made statements respectively concerning the holding of the Ceremony to Commemorate the Third Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Minister Amari made a statement concerning economic and fiscal prospects towards realizing a positive cycle and concerning economic and fiscal projections for medium to long term analysis. I made a statement concerning the bills that are expected to be submitted to the 186th session of the Diet. Prime Minister Abe made a statement concerning acting Ministers while Ministers in charge are away on overseas visits.

During today's Cabinet meeting, it was decided that the Government will host the Ceremony to Commemorate the Third Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake on Tuesday, March 11 at the National Theatre, in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The ceremony will be attended by representatives of all sectors of society. During the Cabinet meeting, I made a statement concerning this matter. Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed that the logistics for holding the ceremony be handled under the leadership of Minister Furuya, the same as last year. It has been decided that effective today, the Preparation Office for the Ceremony to Commemorate the Third Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake will be set up within the Minister's Secretariat of the Cabinet Office. For more information regarding the ceremony, I please conatct the Preparation Office.

Q&As

• The issues related to the relocation of Futenma Air Station

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning Futenma. Today, in the lead-up to the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) made an official announcement regarding the tender for determining which company will be commissioned to carry out the construction work. Mayor Inamine of Nago City said that even if asked, he will not agree to cooperate with the construction work. How does the Government intend to proceed with the construction work?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, I am aware that today the MOD issued an official notice with regard to the start of contracting procedures for the planning and other work associated with the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) construction project. Following Governor Nakaima's recent approval of the land reclamation for the FRF, the Government will continue to work to alleviate the burden on Okinawa and proceed with the relocation to Henoko in a straightforward manner, while making every effort to realize the return of Futenma Air Station as soon as possible.

(Abridged)