Press Conference by the Defense Minister of Japan

Press Conference by the Defense Minister (Doorstepping)
Time & Date: 8:49-8:52 A.M. April 25, 2008
Place: Lobby in front of the Cabinet Meeting Room in the House

1. Announcements

None.

2. Questions and Answers

Question:
It is likely that the bilateral agreement for the “budget for host nation support for US forces in Japan” will be rejected at the House of Councilors plenary session from 10:00. If so, this will be the first case of a treaty being rejected by the Upper House. How do you take this?

Minister:
I think it cannot be helped, given the number of seats currently held in the Upper House. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is against the agreement, as are many in the Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party. However, because this is a treaty, procedures stipulated in the Constitution will be taken. If the agreement is rejected at the House of Councilors, I will feel extreme regret.

Question:
Yesterday, the subcommittee of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) compiled a proposal on strengthening the functions of the Joint Staff Office. The proposal seems to show quite a different direction from what you have said, Mr. Minister. How do you take this?

Minister:
Do you think so? I do not think it is particularly different. The matter of integrating the operations of the Internal Bureau and staff offices has been a topic of discussion from the time when I used to do work on this within the LDP. I myself do not find this orientation peculiar in any sense. Various people have various arguments about this matter. They are not exactly the same. However, I do not think there is any significant deviation in the overall direction among them.