Press Conference

Press Conference by the Defense Minister (08:48-08:51 A.M. November 20, 2009): Press Conference by the Defense Minister (Doorstepping)
Time & Date: 08:48-08:51 A.M. November 20, 2009
Place: In front of the Cabinet Meeting Room in the House

(This is a provisional translation of an announcement by the Defense Minister and the abstract of the Q&A session at the subsequent press conference for reference purposes only)
The original text is in Japanese.

1. Announcements

On November 23, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea will be presented to the Self-Defense Force (SDF) units that were engaged in anti-piracy measures off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. This is truly honorable, and we would like to again straighten ourselves up for our continued responsibilities.

2. Questions and Answers

Question:
Concerning the working group, which met for the first time this week, there is a view that the agreement reached there will be the final agreement between Japan and the US. How will the consultation be conducted, including coordination with the Prime Minister’s Office?

Minister:
We have presented the best conceivable way at this moment. We will have to wait and see how coordination will happen according to this.

Question:
What do you think about coordination between a decision by the working group and the Prime Minister’s intentions?

Minister:
The working group has just been launched, and no direction has been decided at this stage. Therefore, I have nothing particular to say about this.

Question:
On the other hand, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) seeks relocation to Guam and Iwo Jima. How will you consult with the SDP on this matter?

Minister:
The SDP has not made any official requests or proposals yet. I only know this from news reports. I don’t think I should make any comments at this stage.

(For the remainder of the press conference, please refer to the Japanese version.)