Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As　

• The issues related to the spring wage offensive
• The issues related to the Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) trilateral Summit Meeting
• The issues related to the Japan-ROK relations
• The issues related to the minutes of the National Security Council
• The issues related to the situations in Ukraine

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question regarding the spring wage offensive. Today we are entering the peak period of the offensive with the large companies announcing their response to the requests of the labor unions. Some companies in the automobile and other industries have already decided to increase base salaries. In fact, Toyota and Honda announced their intention to increase basic salaries by 2,700 yen and 2,200 yen respectively. It is forecast that many more companies will also increase salaries. At the beginning of the year, Prime Minister Abe said that success would be judged by whether or not a large number of companies raise wages in April. Firstly, could you share with us your thoughts?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: As you just said, I understand that today major companies in the automobile, electronics and other industries will provide a response to requests from labor unions concerning wages and lump-sum payments all at once. The Government has implemented bold tax breaks including abolishing the special corporate tax for reconstruction one year ahead of the schedule. Furthermore a common understanding has been reached through government-labor-management meetings. In light of this I strongly anticipate that the sincere government-labor-management discussions will bear fruit and generate great momentum by increasing wages to bring about a positive economic cycle.

REPORTER: You just expressed your high expectations for the spring wage offensive for small and medium-sized enterprise that employ nearly 70% of the labor force in Japan, is also right in front of us. There are also other issues such as improving the treatment of non-full time employees. I believe we need to consider issues such as improving the treatment of workers in irregular employment. Could you share your thoughts on this with us?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: The Government does after all consider the expansion of employment opportunities and wage rises to be extremely important for realizing a positive cycle. As such, we are keeping a close eye on the results of this year's spring offensive with keen interest. In addition, we will do everything we can to further ensure that the recent positive result will have a knock-on effect for SMEs and the wages of non-full time employees, which you just mentioned.

REPORTER: There were reports suggesting that the Japanese Government will explore the possibility of holding a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) trilateral Summit Meeting during the Nuclear Security Summit in March. I understand that the Japanese Government has always maintained that the door is always open for dialogue. Am I right to understand that Japan is also considering holding a trilateral meeting, not just a bilateral meeting?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: Firstly, regarding the Prime Minister’s attendance at the Nuclear Security Summit, nothing has yet been decided. So, in answer to your question, we have no plans yet at this point in time. However, as the Prime Minister always says, the Japanese Government believes that the more matters of concern there are between countries, the more important it is to hold a summit meeting and Japan’s door is always open for dialogue, and we intend to maintain this stance on this matter.

REPORTER: I have a question on a related topic. Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki will visit the ROK today. Could you share with us the purpose and objectives of his visit?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I have been informed that Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki will visit Seoul in the ROK from today, March 12, to March 13. He will exchange views with a number of officials, including 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yong, on such topics as Japan-ROK relations and North Korean affairs.

REPORTER: I would like to ask another question on the same topic. What are your expectations in terms of improvement of Japan-ROK relations?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: We have worked hard toward this goal, led by a belief that we must exchange our views on Japan-ROK relations at various levels. Therefore, in this sense, I expect that Vice-Minister Saiki's visit will facilitate extensive talks with the ROK on a variety of subjects.

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question on a different topic. I believe that during the Cabinet Committee of the House of Representatives session earlier today, you made remarks in relation to the disclosure of National Security Council (NSC) minutes. I understand you said that the Government has the necessary system in place for carrying out their disclosure. Am I right to understand that the Government is currently keeping a record of NSC meetings in preparation for the possibility of disclosing the minutes in the future?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: I believe there are a number of ways in which "minutes" could be interpreted. What I said earlier today during the Cabinet Committee meeting is that we acknowledge the importance of keeping a record of the discussions and the conclusions in NSC meetings. With this in mind, I said that the Government is currently taking the necessary measures so that we can comply with the policy for the creation of such a document, once it is finalized. As was mentioned during the committee meeting, the policy concerning the creation of the document itself has not been finalized. Therefore I cannot provide you with any specific answers about what the process will be like after the policy has been determined. However, I can say that the Government is of course taking the necessary steps to act appropriately and in accordance with Article 4 of the Public Records and Archives Management Act.

(Abridged)　

REPORTER: During yesterday's House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting, Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau Komatsu said that the Prime Minister does not intend to submit basic legislation for national security to the Diet. This question was raised yesterday, but I would like to ask it once again. The enactment of basic legislation for national security is one of the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) campaign pledges. Furthermore, Mr. Masashi Waki, Secretary-General for the LDP in the House of Councillors, criticized Mr. Komatsu yesterday saying that the Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau does not have the right to submit bills to the Diet. Could you once again share with us how you view the comments made by the Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: Firstly, the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security is currently conducting discussions on the relationship between the right to collective self-defense and the Constitution. Therefore, the Government will first wait for these discussions to reach a conclusion, after which we will receive a report from the Panel. Then, we will consult the ruling parties, while also taking into consideration the views of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, before making a Cabinet decision. Following that, we will work on revising individual laws if necessary. The Prime Minister also described such a flow of events.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I would like to ask a question concerning the situation in Ukraine. The Supreme Council of Crimea adopted a declaration of independence from Ukraine. Could you share with us the Government's thoughts?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY KATO: There is an issue with the independence declaration by the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in terms of whether or not it is lawful under the constitution of Ukraine. Furthermore, the Japanese Government has spoken about respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and from this perspective, I believe the declaration is problematic. Yesterday, we held a Japan-Russia foreign ministers' meeting via teleconference. Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida expressed his concerns to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov over the referendum to integrate the Autonomous Republic of Crimea as a Russian territory. Furthermore, I have been informed that Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida said that Japan will not accept any attempt to alter the status quo by coercive measures. In addition I understand that he strongly urged Russia to aim to settle the situation in a peaceful manner.