1. Announcements

Today, an implementation plan and related ordinances were decided upon at the Security Council meeting and the Cabinet meeting for the international peace cooperation assignment in Haiti. I will shortly hold a Defense Conference meeting to issue an order for dispatching the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) units. Through the prompt dispatch of the units, we would like to make the best use of the SDF’s capabilities in the international community’s efforts for the reconstruction and stabilization of Haiti, which suffered enormous earthquake damage, and thereby make proactive contributions to international peace.

2. Questions and Answers

Question:
Concerning the dispatch of the SDF units for the PKO mission in Haiti that was approved at this Cabinet meeting, what activities and contributions do you expect of the members of the SDF on this mission?

Minister:
I expect the SDF can be fully active there, since it has so far built up experience and is highly capable.

Question:
Concerning Haiti, it has been reported that the damage is severe and there has been confusion arising at the site. How do you think about various matters including the public security situation?

Minister:
The SDF units will be stationed in or dispatched to Port-au-Prince after all. Troops of three other countries participating in the UN mission, namely Brazil, Chili, and Ecuador, are already stationed there. The SDF will be stationed adjacent to these troops and will be protected by the wall surrounding the camp. Therefore, we are able to secure safety to a great extent. In addition, the security problem in Haiti is only limited to a certain area and is sporadic, so we perceive the security risk as being extremely low.

Question:
Is it correct that the camp of the SDF units will be located in Port-au-Prince?

Minister:
Yes.

Question:
Will it be the suburbs of Port-au-Prince?

Minister:
Initially there was another planned site in the suburbs, but since we couldn’t reach a consensus with the local landowners, we were asked instead to move to Port-au-Prince and construct temporary housing and other facilities there. Although it is not entirely clear exactly what area we will be working on, I think we would first be leveling the ground while removing rubble so that temporary housing can be constructed.

Question:
This means that the mission may be slightly altered. In any case, it is perceived that the decision to dispatch the SDF units for the PKO mission this time took place quite quickly. What do you think is the reason for that?

Minister:
Quick response was enabled by the early dispatch of the survey team by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Defense (MOD), combined with the C-130 aircraft that had been stationed in the United States. There was excellent coordination among MOFA, the MOD, and the Cabinet Secretariat, which is the principal organization (in dealing with the PKO), and the consultation among the three ruling parties went on very smoothly. All these factors helped to quicken the process.

Question:
Do you mean that the political decision played a large role in it?

Minister:
Yes, exactly.

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