Press Conferences

Hashimoto, TV Tokyo: The legislation for peace and security was approved at a House of Councilors special committee meeting yesterday. However, general deliberations did not take place at the special committee meeting, and the vote was held amid outcries from the opposition parties. What are your views on this, Minister?

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs: A vote on the legislation for peace and security was held by the special committee, but a vote still has to be taken in a plenary session. The legislation has not been approved yet. As Minister, I believe I must refrain from making any comments at the present stage. On that basis, deliberations were held for 116 hours in the House of Representatives and for 100 hours in the House of Councilors, so for 216 hours in total. The Diet’s decision was made based on that, and the vote was held as a result, I believe.

Hashimoto, TV Tokyo: You suggest that sufficient time was spent on deliberations, but ongoing demonstrations against the legislation are taking place in front of the Diet on a daily basis. Do you, Minister, believe there is a broad enough understanding of the legislation among citizens?

Minister Kishida: The Government and I have been striving to provide sincere explanations. I think the timing of the vote is the decision of the Diet.

Kurihara, NHK: My question concerns your visit to Russia. You have repeatedly said that there are no such plans. Is there still no change to that situation?

Minister Kishida: Regarding my trip to Russia, as I have been saying, we have been considering my visit, while taking various factors into consideration in a comprehensive manner. Furthermore, no decision has been made at present.