Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• The issue regarding the alleviating Okinawa’s burden of hosting the U.S. bases
• The fight against Ebola virus disease

REPORTER: The U.S. Congress announced that it has reached agreement on fully lifting the freeze on funding for the plan to transfer some Marine Corps forces from Okinawa to Guam. It is hoped that this agreement would move the transfer plan forward and contribute to alleviating Okinawa’s burden of hosting the bases. Can you please share your comments?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: We are aware that the lower and upper houses of the U.S. Congress finalized the draft National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 and that the clauses of the finalized draft were released. We are now closely reviewing the contents of the draft. Our understanding is that both houses must pass the draft, and that the draft contains provisions for lifting the freeze on funding for the transfer of Marine Corps forces from Okinawa to Guam. As for the Japanese Government, the Prime Minister and relevant ministers have consistently urged the U.S. Government and Congress members to secure proper funding and to lift the freeze on funding related to the transfer of Marines from Okinawa to Guam. We welcome the progresses made in regard to this matter at the U.S. Congress. The transfer of Marines from Okinawa to Guam will contribute to alleviating the burden of Okinawa, including land returns south of Kadena, while maintaining deterrence. The Government will continue to work and collaborate closely with the United States and work towards the early realization of the transfer.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 17,000 cases of Ebola virus disease, including suspected cases, and more than 6,000 of those cases have resulted in death. According to the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), accurate information is not available for some areas. UNMEER has called for the cooperation of developed countries in coping with the shortage of treatment facilities and medical staff. Can you please share your thoughts on this?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Japan, as a responsible member of the international community, has contributed to the fight against Ebola virus disease through various means. Japan has already pledged up to US$100 million in additional assistance. In addition, Japan has extended wide-ranging assistance not limited to financial assistance, including the dispatch of medical personnel, provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the provision of ambulances and beds. Furthermore, Japan has already announced that, as per UNMEER’s request, 20,000 sets of PPE would be transported by the Self-Defense Forces within days. Japan will continue to steadily extend assistance as is proper and appropriate, taking into account the needs of the WHO and other relevant United Nations agencies.