Press Conference

1. Announcements

None

2. Questions and Answers

Question:
Please tell us your impression having completed the inspection.

Minister:
This time, we have received a request from the Ministry of the Environment for the Self-Defense Force (SDF) to conduct an anterior decontamination activity at the base location space for the full-fledged decontamination activity, and the cabinet is committed to engage in this highly important decontamination activity as soon as possible. Therefore, the SDF has already gone in and commenced its activity from December 7. Thanks to the fair weather conditions, I was able to inspect the situation of the activity with progress going very smoothly. The personnel may not be accustomed to this type of work, but this decontamination activity plays a very important part in the sense that we are helping to create an environment where the people of the affected areas will be able to return to their homeland, and the people have high interest in the activity, so I have requested that everyone should feel proud of what they are doing, and to give their best efforts in conducting their work.

Question:
While you were on the move, I think you came to see the townscape in the hazard area. Can you tell us your impression on this?

Minister:
I am filled with the desire to do whatever I can for the people in the affected areas to be able to return to the places where they used to live as soon as possible. When you see the areas on such a fine day, you can see that the paddy fields and the farmland that are overgrown with weeds have fallen into a severe state of disrepair. Having seen such things, it further enhanced my perception of this.

Question:
This has been your first inspection of SDF activity since you received the censure motion last Friday. How did you prepare yourself for this occasion?

Minister:
It has been my understanding that this decontamination activity and its support activity is going to be one of the most important operations for the MOD/SDF to conduct, and that it is going to be a very important role for the SDF to engage in. There have been various developments in the Diet, and I would like to take them firmly into consideration, and to express regret when necessary. However, concerning the duties of the MOD/SDF, I have the heartfelt desire to perform my duties with responsibility, so in that sense, I was able to inspect the site, and see the SDF personnel working in earnest, and it has made me keenly aware of the need to do what I can in order to live up to the expectations of the people.

Question:
There were concerns on the deterioration of morale of the personnel towards the activities with the recent turmoil in the MOD. How did you feel about that in the inspection?

Minister:
As far as what I have seen in this inspection, I didn’t notice anything like that. In seeing the SDF conducting their activity in an organized and focused manner, I feel that this comes from the sense of confidence that comes from the experience the personnel had gained in the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Question:
What specific activities did you see, and what words of encouragement did you give to the personnel?

Minister:
I have seen the SDF personnel working in the premises of the government office in Tomioka Town and Namie Town on the side ditch and places with vegetation growth within the premises that are considered as places with particularly high dose values. Also, the work involving removing the topsoil and moving it to the interim storing area was an arduous task in itself, but we monitored the dose on the spot, and were actually able to see the dose value fall as the work progressed. The personnel were able to confirm specifically that their work was actually contributing to the decrease in the dosage amount in the area, and I felt that this was a rewarding experience for their efforts. Since this is an activity that is being conducted prior to the full-fledged decontamination process that will be conducted with the Ministry of the Environment in charge from the New Year, I sincerely hope that this will lead up to the success of the full-fledged decontamination activity.

Question:
Regarding the Three Principles on Arms Export that the administration is currently considering, certain press reports issued today mentioned that while considerations are being made with a conclusion to be given within this year, a certain policy direction will be given tomorrow. Can you tell us the current situation of the consideration process on this?

Minister:
As we have introduced to you all, concerning the topic on the Three Principles on Arms Export, the details are currently being finalized by the Parliamentary Senior Vice-Ministers of the related Ministries. Therefore, to hash out a certain direction and for the government to decide on the final course action based on said direction is going to be an important issue. In addition, to decide what we are specifically going to do for the regular Diet session for next year, I feel that we will need to keep this timeline in mind while giving out a certain direction in earnest for this issue as well.

Question:
Within this year?

Minister:
I cannot say anything specific on the details here, but I feel that it will all come down to how we can reach a point where consensus from everyone can be obtained. The (DPJ) party side has done their own studies on this, and we are currently finalizing the various details within the government in response to this, so I feel that there is a need to give out a certain direction on this. Not but least, this is a theme that the opposition have an interest in, too.

Question:
You have been saying that preparations for the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report related to the relocation of Futenma are being made for its submission within the year. There have been various problems coming up recently, but how do you feel about the prospects for submitting this within the year?

Minister:
Since we have been entrusted with the responsibility of drawing up the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, I have maintained my position that we should conduct preparations in earnest so there will be no delay when it is to be submitted in this year. When I made my visit to Okinawa, I confirmed the situation of this process. In that sense, I feel that the preparation work itself is moving quite smoothly.

Question:
The other day, you have indicated your intention to remain in office until the regular Diet session. The government policy maintains that the Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be submitted within the year, so does this imply that there is no change in your thinking that the Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be submitted under your responsibility?

Minister:
I don’t think that the future procedures are going to proceed solely on the decisions given by myself. The issue of Okinawa has been discussed at length in the related Ministerial Meeting, and there are various movements coming from the Okinawa people, including the Okinawa Governor. Therefore, I believe that the cabinet policy is going to be to comprehensively evaluate such things and to proceed appropriately with the procedures, so my current thought is to prepare myself to be able to respond appropriately when a certain decision has been made at some point.

Question:
So there is going to be no change in the policy to submit it during your time in office?

Minister:
Right. I have been given affirmation from the Prime Minister and the executives within the party to continue on in my duties as Defense Minister. Nevertheless, I would like to respond to various issues of concern with responsibility, regardless of any change.

(End)