Press Conference

1. Announcements

The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minister of Foreign Affairs and I had a meeting yesterday, where the MOD reported on the investigation results from the MOD investigation team related to the South Sudan PKO, as well as sharing and exchanging information. Based on the MOD report, the three Ministers consulted in the Three-Minister meeting on the situation in South Sudan and on how it relates to the five principles of PKO participation, and as a result we came to a conclusion that the North-South military tensions are restrictive, and that there were no specific impediments in dispatching the second unit of the engineering unit and such, based on the evaluation that the five principles of PKO participation have not been eroded. Therefore, this morning, I gave the action order for the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) concerning the second unit of the engineering unit and such, and have decided on dispatching an engineering unit consisting of around 330 personnel that will be working on the infras tructure of roads, etc., which will allow us to conduct full-fledged engineering activities. The MOD will continue to expend all possible means to ensure the safety of our personnel, and to make progress on the international peace cooperation operation in South Sudan through further close coordination with the related ministries. With regard to the details of the investigation report and the outline and schedule of the second unit, our staff will give an explanation after this press conference.

2. Questions and Answers

Question:
As you have mentioned just now, it has been announced that there were no specific impediments in the dispatch for the second unit to South Sudan. Were there any modifications made in receiving the report from the investigation team by the MOD, including measures to secure the safety of the personnel? Also, can you brief us on the specific schedule for the dispatch of the second unit?

Minister:
Regarding the full-fledged dispatch of the second unit, it is expected to be executed one month from now, so there is no change from the original plan. Preparations will begin in May, and the unit is scheduled to officially depart next month, while replacing the personnel in the local support coordination center. Everything is to be conducted according to the original plan. With regard to our thinking on the five principles of PKO participation, the MOD, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet Office have brought forth the results of their consideration, and having made a comprehensive decision on this in that the five principles of PKO participation have not been eroded, we are scheduled to continue with the dispatch operations, and to prepare for the dispatch of the second unit.

Question:
Next week will mark the 40th anniversary since the return of Okinawa to Japan. It seems that Okinawa is an important linchpin both geographically and for Japan's defense, including the militaristic expansion by China in the areas around Okinawa. Can you give us your views on the placement of Okinawa within the Defense Program?

Minister:
The 40th anniversary will certainly be a milestone. Lately, the Japan-U.S. consultation was held, and both Japan and the U.S. have completed the consultations concerning the reorganization of the U.S. Forces in Japan. We have been working towards maintaining/strengthening the deterrence and in reducing the burden of Okinawa in ways that can be perceived. For myself and the MOD, we will be working on reducing Okinawa's burden of bases with immediate priority. The consultations will be continued, and we are hoping in earnest to realize the details that have been explained earlier, and to support the future of Okinawa.

Question:
With regard to Okinawa, there have been certain press reports stating that both the Japanese and the U.S. governments have decided on the direct deployment of Osprey to Okinawa in July. Has this July deployment been decided? Furthermore, the press reports state that before its deployment to Futenma, it is going to be deployed at the U.S. facility in Naha City to conduct experimental flights before being deployed to Futenma. Although being temporary, the only facility in Naha city that comes to mind would be Naha port. Can you confirm whether this experimental flight will be conducted?

Minister:
I have read the released press report. Regarding the timing and the method for Osprey deployment, I will be confirming this with the U.S. side before making progress on this, so I would like to officially make confirmation with the U.S. side on this timing and method. Regarding its safety, I have asked Defense Secretary Panetta -- with whom I held a telephone conference the other day -- to provide information to us, and have received words that he will be sharing any information he has with us. The provision of the Environmental Review will be coming up as well, so I feel that the time has definitely come where we must provide detailed explanations to the people of Okinawa, while giving an extensive explanation to the U.S. side regarding the circumstances and the situation of Okinawa, and to conduct further confirmation.

Question:
So you haven't yet heard about the timing of the deployment?

Minister:
We have not yet made the final confirmation. We would like to do so immediately.

Question:
Even if it has not been confirmed, if there is a possibility where an experimental flight is going to be conducted at some facility outside Futenma -- including Naha -- before being deployed at Futenma, this will increase the number of municipalities that would have to shoulder the burden, and supposing that this is true, then opposition toward this will be expected. What do you think about this?

Minister:
I have heard that this was considered in a businesslike manner at one point, but this has not been formally decided. We would like to make a final confirmation on how and in what form the Osprey is going to be brought into Japan.

Question:
Regarding the final confirmation, when will this final confirmation be resolved? Do you have any plans on when you intend to relay the contents to the people of Okinawa?

Minister:
From what I have heard so far, it will be transported by ship, and some assembly will be done when it has come here. Therefore, it will require some time when it is boarded onto the ship in the U.S. and comes here. Before this transportation process is actually conducted, there will certainly be a confirmation on this, and a detailed consideration will be conducted on the situation of the receiving side. My understanding is that a thorough final confirmation will be made before it is boarded onto the ship.

Question:
By this final confirmation, was there some kind of informal approach on its timing as being fixed for July?

Minister:
Nothing final has been decided.

Question:
Is there a possibility for being temporarily deployed at a U.S. forces facility in Naha City?

Minister:
I think that there are many possibilities. However, nothing final has been decided.

Question:
Regarding the F-35, there have been talks from the U.S. legislature about how much it is going to cost. Can you give us your perception on this, and the unit cost that you envision for each aircraft, despite said press reports coming in at the moment?

Minister:
Concerning the contract for the four aircrafts for this fiscal year based on the FY 2012 budget, this is at a stage where we are near to coming to an agreement. We are currently proceeding with this based on the premise to adhere strictly to the proposal content. Of course, we are proceeding with this so as to strictly adhere to the proposal content, so it will come within our budget. Although there have been some press reports about talks coming from the legislature, this is something that has yet to be confirmed, and is a topic for the future.

Question:
In the FY 2012 budget, it has been budgeted at ¥9.9 billion per unit, including maintenance. How are you going to explain to the people and the Diet if this cannot be fulfilled?

Minister:
We are making our best efforts on this at the moment, so we have not considered any issues regarding the budget. We are proceeding with this to ensure that the proposal content will be strictly adhered to and to complete the contract, so we have not considered such a situation.

Question:
So you are not considering a situation where it would go above ¥9.9 billion?

Minister:
There seem to be some elements where there is a discrepancy between the budget and the amount per unit for both sides. Recently, the staff from the MOD has come, and the clarification on this has now been made, so from what I have received in the reports, we have now made significant progress on the approximation on the aspect of pricing and such elements.

Question:
So, does that mean there is a possibility that it may go over that?

Minister:
We have not yet come to the final stages on this.

Question:
Yesterday, the third hearing of the third Kadena U.S. Airbase Noise Pollution Lawsuit took place. In this, the state advocated in writing its argument that the residents who continued to live in the area of noise pollution should accept its consequences if they did not make use of the relocation compensation measures, and there has been vociferous opposition to this from the local areas. Please tell us your thoughts on this.

Minister:
I read the local newspaper this morning. Since this is an ongoing issue in the court procedure, I am not in a position to comment on this for now. However, I cannot understand the situation where people must accept this noise pollution, so I would like to make a confirmation on the points that I personally am concerned with. Of course, we must protect the basic human rights of the people concerned, so although being part of a trial, and I feel that nothing that would be misinterpreted has been said, I would like to make a confirmation on this matter.

Question:
Regarding the Haiti PKO where the GSDF are conducting reconstruction support activities after the great earthquake, there have been press reports stating that a decision of pullout by the end of this fiscal year has been decided. Can you verify this?

Minister:
I am not aware of everything that has been said in the press reports, but I am aware that it is not a fact.

(End)