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Overview of Minister Hayashi's Press Conference

On October 28, 2023, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Hayashi, held a press conference after the cabinet meeting. The conference did not start with any remarks, proceeding directly into a Q&A session.

National Census Response Status and Importance of Statistics

When asked about the national census, Minister Hayashi responded that the data collection phase had concluded, with a substantial response rate observed. As of October 27, more than 26 million households submitted responses online, contributing to a total exceeding 45 million households when combined with mail responses. He expressed sincere gratitude to those who participated in the survey.

Minister Hayashi emphasized the significance of official statistics as a vital information infrastructure necessary for formulating policies to address various socio-economic issues, including rising prices and population decline currently affecting Japan. He urged continued cooperation in governmental statistical surveys to ensure the accuracy of data.

Military Diversion of NEC Undersea Cables

A question regarding reports that NEC's exported undersea cables were repurposed for military use by Russia was also raised. Minister Hayashi acknowledged the reports but refrained from commenting on individual corporate activities, noting that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which oversees trade management. Nevertheless, he assured that his ministry will collaborate with relevant agencies to tackle any potential risks associated with the military diversion of such technologies.

Upcoming Japan-U.S. Summit

The discussion then shifted to the Japan-U.S. summit scheduled for that day. Minister Hayashi, reflecting on previous negotiations during the last administration, expressed hopes for the summit to enhance personal trust between the leaders and strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance further. Amid ongoing discussions on economic security, he reaffirmed ongoing collaboration in critical sectors such as 5G and submarine cables, emphasizing future cooperation in advanced technologies like optical networks and quantum cryptography that underpin AI society.

Misinformation in the Miyagi Gubernatorial Election

The final query addressed misinformation surrounding the recent Miyagi gubernatorial election. Minister Hayashi acknowledged reports of misinformation but opted not to comment on the specifics of individual elections. He underscored the necessity for fair and free elections as a cornerstone of democracy, cautioning that the presence of misinformation — especially on social media — poses a significant challenge to societal stability and public trust. He reiterated the importance of establishing independent fact-checking organizations in combatting misinformation and promoting healthy information dissemination.

In conclusion, Minister Hayashi's conference highlighted crucial issues relating to socio-economic data collection, technological security, international diplomacy, and misinformation, reflecting the ongoing challenges and strategic responses from Japan's government in current affairs.