Press Conference by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: The Ministry of Defense has just reported that a Chinese naval vessel entered Japanese territorial waters off Kuchinoerabu Island in Kagoshima Prefecture. Could you share with us the views of the Government about this matter?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Around 3:30 a.m. on June 15, a P-3C patrol aircraft of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) observed a Dongdiao-class intelligence collection vessel of the Chinese Navy sailing down Japanese territorial waters at the west of Kuchinoerabu Island in Kagoshima Prefecture southeastward. Subsequently, around 5:00 a.m., the MSDF observed the Chinese vessel exiting Japanese territorial waters at the south of Yakushima Island and sailing southeastward. The Government will continue to engage thoroughly in warning and surveillance activities in the waters or airspace in the vicinity of Japan.

REPORTER: I have a related question. The other day there was a similar incident in which a Chinese naval vessel entered Japanese territorial waters in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands. What is the Government’s view on how these two incidents are connected?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: My understanding is that with regard to the matter in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands, a Chinese naval vessel entered the Japanese contiguous zone. With regard to the purpose of the latest entry into Japanese territorial waters by a Chinese vessel, I would like to refrain from saying anything specific at the current point in time.

REPORTER: Governor Masuzoe of Tokyo has decided to resign from his position in the wake of allegations about the inappropriate use of political funds. Governor Masuzoe was the candidate supported by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito at the time of the last gubernatorial election. Can I ask for your thoughts about this matter, given that the resignation is impacting the administration of Tokyo?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: I am aware of press reports that Governor Masuzoe of Tokyo has decided to resign and that in response the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly has decided to withdraw a motion of no-confidence against Governor Masuzoe. I believe that with regard to this matter Governor Masuzoe and the members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, including LDP and New Komeito members, have responded appropriately, based on the will of the people of Tokyo.

REPORTER: If I may change the subject, I have two questions about the referendum on European Union (EU) membership in the United Kingdom (UK). Firstly, given that speculation over the result of the referendum is expected to cause volatility in global markets, is the Government of Japan planning any kind of measures to stabilize markets in collaboration with the UK or the EU? Secondly, if the UK votes to leave the EU there is a possibility that this would lead to a sharp appreciation in the yen, so do you think that there is a possibility that Japan would intervene in currency markets to sell yen if this were the case?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Firstly the referendum on EU membership of the UK is a matter for the people of the UK to decide. If I were to say anything further, it would be to note that this matter relates to Japan’s national interest and the Government of Japan hopes that the UK will remain within the EU. This is a message that Prime Minister Abe has stated clearly in various fora. As the UK and EU continue to be an influential presence on the international stage the Government would like them to contribute to rule-based peace and stability in the international community, including in Asia. I am also aware of the fluctuations in the markets that you mentioned, including the fall in the Nikkei Stock Average and the temporary fall of long-term interest rates to their lowest level ever. However, I would like to refrain from making any specific comment about fluctuations in interest rates and stock prices, or the exchange rate. The Government will continue to carefully monitor trends in the financial and stock markets, including the influence that the EU referendum in the UK has on markets.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the entry into Japanese territorial waters of an intelligence collection vessel of the Chinese Navy. Has the Government issued any kind of protest to the Government of China?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: Firstly, the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a demarche to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, expressing concern about Chinese military activities overall, given the recent entry into the Japanese contiguous zone close to the Senkaku Islands by a Chinese naval vessel, followed by the most recent entry into Japanese territorial waters by an intelligence collection vessel of the Chinese Navy.

REPORTER: Are we to understand that this demarche expressing concern was issued this morning?

DEPUTY CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SEKO: The Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the demarche at 9:35 a.m. this morning to the deputy of the Chinese embassy in Tokyo.

(Abridged)