Press Conference

Press Conference by the Defense Minister (08:47-08:50 A.M. November 24, 2009): Press Conference by the Defense Minister (Doorstepping)
Time & Date: 08:47-08:50 A.M. November 24, 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

None.

2. Questions and Answers

Question:
What was discussed at the meeting of the ministerial committee that was just held?

Minister:
The Chief Cabinet Secretary will make an announcement about it on our behalf.

Question:
The Ministry of Defense will be the main subject of the budget review this week starting today. How will the Ministry address it?

Minister:
I am gradually getting a clearer view of the position of the budget review. I don't think we should be too sensitive about it, but rather take it as an opportunity to discuss our projects in front of the people's eyes. Ultimately the decision will be made in consultation with the Ministry of Finance or the National Strategy Office. Therefore, I would like to take the budget review as an opportunity to raise issues.

Question:
In particular, the budget review team will examine public relations and the PKO Center today. What do you think about these?

Minister:
I have nothing particular to say. The Government Revitalization Unit chose the items for examination.

Question:
What do you think about the necessity of these two projects?

Minister:
Those projects have been continued essentially since they are needed. But we must also take it seriously if any improvement is recommended in this regard.

Question:
Concerning the F-X selection, some media reports indicate the F-35 as a likely candidate. What is the current situation?

Minister:
Such reports have absolutely no foundation. They consist of fragments of various examinations within the Ministry of Defense before the DPJ took over. I have no intention to comment about it, and the Ministry's policy is not reflected in this report.

Question:
We hear that Prime Minister Hatoyama, Foreign Minister Okada, and you met together last week on Friday to discuss the Futenma issue. Could you please give us outline of this meeting, especially regarding what kind of consensus has been made toward the future working group meetings?

Minister:
We are not at the stage to make any announcement yet.